Synthesis of CuAl-, CoAl-, and CuCoAl-Catalysts from Layered Hydroxides for Furfural Hydrogenation

Catalysts based on CuAl-, CoAl-, and CuCoAl-layered hydroxides with M2+/Al = 2 and Cu/Co = 1 molar ratio were obtained. The effect of amount of cobalt on the structural properties, morphology, surface cations distribution, oxide phase formation, thermal stability of the samples and reduction of metals from them was studied. The effect of reaction conditions (temperature, time, pressure, solvent) and conditions of preliminary treatment of catalysts on their catalytic properties in furfural hydrogenation was established. High selectivity to furfuryl alcohol was observed for all the samples irrespective of pretreatment and reaction conditions. The synergetic effect in furfural hydrogenation between Co and Cu in the CuCoAlOx catalysts was revealed when ethanol is used as a solvent.