Selective production of furfuryl alcohol via gas phase hydrogenation of furfural over Au/Al2O3

Abstract

We report exclusive continuous gas phase hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol over Au/Al2O3 (∆Ea=45kJmol−1). Characterisation measurements demonstrate the formation of Auδ− (from XPS analysis) nanoparticles (1–8nm, mean=4.3nm) with H2 chemisorption capacity of 318μmolgAu−1 (at 413K). Chemical kinetic control was established by experimental variation of contact time, catalyst/furfural feed ratio and temperature. At T≥473K, hydrogenolysis to 2-methylfuran predominated. Selective TOF (298h−1 at 433K) over Au/Al2O3 exceeded values reported for benchmark Cu catalysts at higher temperature (453–498K).