Selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol in water under mild conditions over a hydrotalcite-derived Pt-based catalyst

The production of furfuryl alcohol (FFA) from biomass-derived furfural (FF) via selective hydrogenation is challenging due to the diverse unsaturated groups. Herein, a novel hydrotalcite-derived Pt-based catalyst was synthesized to catalyze the selective hydrogenation of FF to FFA in water. Within 2 h at 303 K and 1.5 MPa H2, 99.9% conversion of FF with > 99% selectivity to FFA was obtained while the TOF being 204.6 h−1 and the Ea being 12.8 kJmol−1. These results were accounted for by the 2D layered double hydroxides structure of hydrotalcite, which contributed to the high dispersion and effective reduction of Pt species, and the selective adsorption of the aldehyde group of FF on the catalyst, combined with the rapid desorption of the FFA produced. This guaranteed selective and stable hydrogenation over time, with up to four cycles ensured.