Highly selective hydrogenation of furfural to furan-2-ylmethanol over a Cu/C derived from copper-organic frameworks

Abstract

Highly selective hydrogenation of furfural to furan-2-ylmethanol (FM) was developed over a Cu/C derived from copper-organic frameworks at 500 °C. It was found that the calcination temperature of copper-organic frameworks greatly affected the properties of Cu/C. Under optimal conditions, furfural conversion (FC) and FM selectivity (FMS) are 99.4% and 100%, respectively. Interestingly, the hydrogenation of furfural to FM could also proceed in weakly polar solvents. The activity and selectivity of Cu/C are still at a high level (92.6% FC and 100% FMS) even after 6-times recycle.