Liquid Phase Furfural Hydrotreatment to 2‐Methylfuran with Carbon Supported Copper, Nickel, and Iron Catalysts

Abstract

AbstractIn this study inexpensive, non‐toxic, and noble metal free mono‐ and bimetallic catalysts on activated carbon were tested in liquid phase catalytic furfural hydrotreatment to a potential biofuel component 2‐methylfuran. High yields of 2‐methylfuran were achieved in the study, the highest yield was achieved with 10 wt‐% Ni/C (48.9%) in 120 minutes and good results were obtained also with bimetallic 2/2 wt‐% CuNi/C and CuFe/C (yield 44.2 and 41.0%, respectively). These high yields were achieved applying significantly shorter reaction time (60 – 120 min) compared to many published studies. The activity of nickel catalysts was very high resulting eventually in further hydrogenation of 2‐methylfuran. With increasing nickel loading also ring‐opening and decarbonylation reactions were promoted. Addition of iron to nickel was beneficial for decreasing decarbonylation and other side reactions. Copper/nickel and copper/iron combinations were observed to have beneficial interaction as activity and selectivity to MF increased significantly.