Selective Deoxygenation of Aqueous Furfural to 2-Methylfuran over Cu0/Cu2O·SiO2 Sites via a Copper Phyllosilicate Precursor without Extraneous Gas

Abstract

Furfural (FUL) is substantially produced by the polymeric xylan fraction of hemicellulose with the presence of acids, and 2-methyl furan (2-MF) produced from FUL is an important biogasoline additive. Here, we report that 2-MF can be selectively formed from FUL with a 90% yield at 220 °C within 2 h over Cu0/Cu2O·SiO2 sites via a copper phyllosilicate precursor without extraneous gas. Methanol is used for in situ generating of highly pure hydrogen (92% content), and the almost CO free atmosphere avoids the poison on the Cu sites. The structure–activity relationship shows that Cu0 or Cu2O or physically mixed Cu0 and Cu2O is inactive, but the hydrogen-reduced copper phyllosilicate sample comprising abundant Cu0/Cu2O·SiO2 sites with interfaces demonstrates high activities in both reactions of methanol decomposition and FUL hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). The network for converting FUL to 2-MF includes tandem steps of FUL hydrogenation and furfural alcohol (FOL) hydrogenolysis to target 2-MF, accompanied by the side-...