Selective conversion of furfuryl alcohol to 1,2-pentanediol over a Ru/MnOx catalyst in aqueous phase

The aqueous-phase hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol (FFA) to 1,2-pentanediol (1,2-PeD) was carried out on a series of supported Ru catalysts and MnOx supported Pt, Pd and Rh catalysts. The Ru/MnOx catalysts showed high selectivity for 1,2-PeD, while the Pd and Rh catalysts displayed high selectivity for tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. The function of MnOx, the effects of solvent, temperature, H2 pressure and reaction time were further investigated. The support MnOx in the Ru/MnOx catalysts not only suppressed the polymerization of the FFA, but also enhanced the 1,2-PeD selectivity. Low pressure and high temperature favoured the generation of 1,2-PeD, and water significantly enhanced the reaction rate. At 150 °C, 1.5 MPa, the yield of 1,2-PeD was up to 42.1% over the Ru/MnOx catalyst. The proposed mechanism for FFA hydrogenolysis in aqueous medium over the Ru/MnOx catalyst is suggested to occur via a partially hydrogenated intermediate.