Highly selective hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol over MIL-101(Cr)-NH 2 supported Pd catalyst at low temperature

An efficient heterogeneous catalyst, Pd@MIL-101(Cr)-NH2, is prepared through a direct pathway of anionic exchange followed by hydrogen reduction with amino-containing MIL-101 as the host matrix. The composite is thermally stable up to 350 °C and the Pd nanoparticles uniformly disperse on the matal organic framework (MOF) support, which are attributed to the presence of the amino groups in the frameworks of MIL-101(Cr)-NH2. The selective hydrogenation of biomass-based furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is investigated by using this multifunctional catalyst Pd@MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 in water media. A complete hydrogenation of furfural is achieved at a low temperature of 40 °C with the selectivity of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol close to 100%. The amine-functionalized MOF improves the hydrogen bonding interactions between the intermediate furfuryl alcohol and the support, which is conducive for the further hydrogenation of furfuryl alcohol to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol in good coordination with the metal sites.