Hydrogenolysis of Furfuryl Alcohol to 1,2‐Pentanediol Over Supported Ruthenium Catalysts

Abstract Hydrogenolysis of the furan rings of furfural and furfuryl alcohol, which can be obtained from biomass, has attracted attention as a method for obtaining valuable chemicals such as 1,2‐pentanediol. In this study, we examined the hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol to 1,2‐pentanediol over Pd/C, Pt/C, Rh/C, and various supported Ru catalysts in several solvents. In particular, we investigated the effects of combinations of solvents and supports on the reaction outcome. Of all the tested combinations, Ru/MgO in water gave the best selectivity for 1,2‐pentanediol: with this catalyst, 42 % selectivity for 1,2‐pentanediol was achieved upon hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol for 1 h at 463 K. In contrast, reaction in water in the presence of Ru/Al 2 O 3 afforded cyclopentanone and cyclopentanol by means of hydrogenation and rearrangement reactions.