Highly efficient and selective aqueous phase hydrogenolysis of furfural to 1,5-pentanediol using bimetallic Ru–SnOx/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

The presence of Ru 3 Sn 7 alloy phases and Ru 0 –SnO x species on the surface of γ-Al 2 O 3 can synergistically activate and hydrogenolyse the furan ring, producing a high yield of 1,5-PeD (up to 94%) at 180 °C, under H 2 = 30 bar and after reacting for 7 h.