Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural into Cyclopentanone Over Composite Metal Catalysts under Mild Conditions

Background/Introduction: The direct hydrogenate conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone is very interesting technology in biomass conversion and utilization. Many kinds of metal catalysts were used in this field, and composite metal catalysts exhibited superior catalytic performance. The hydrogenation process and rearrangement of the furan ring are competitive, polymerization of furfural can prevent the improvement of yield for the main product. Objective: Efficient and high selective catalyst need to be prepared for the improvement the yield of cyclopentanone from hydrogenate conversion of furfural under mild conditions. Methods: Preparation of many composite metal catalysts and catalytic test for the direct hydrogenate conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone. Characterization is chosen to explore the strong metal synergistic effect and micro react mechanism. Results: MCM-41 was chosen as the carrier, and both WO3 and TiO2 were selected as the modifiable assistant, Ru-Cu-WO3@TiO2-MCM-41 were prepared successfully and performed a strong metal synergistic effect in this reaction. The 2%Ru-5%Cu-4%WO3@TiO2-MCM-41 exhibited a 98.54% yield of cyclopentanone when water was chosen as solvent and good stability was found in the recycle tests in mild conditions. Conclusion: A certain amount of WO3 is helpful to enhance the Ru and Cu atoms’ dispersion and the number of acidic sites on the surface of nano catalyst, which may weaken the cracking of C-C bonds and improved the yield of cyclopentanone in mild conditions. A certain amount of TiO2- anatase species adjusted the textural properties of the carrier and show good synergism catalytic function. The best catalytic hydrogenation conversion of furfural was high at 99.75%, and the best selectivity to cyclopentanone was high at 98.79% over 2%Ru-5%Cu-4%WO3@TiO2-MCM-41 catalyst under mild conditions.