Catalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural in Alcoholic Media

Abstract

The processes of furfural hydrogenation in the alcohol solutions over copper-ruthenium and platinum catalysts were studied. The equilibrium of acetals formation is shown to establish in the solutions.

Catalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural Diethyl Acetal to Ethyl Furfuryl Ether

“…More promising process for the production of alkyl furfuryl ethers is the hydrogenation of FAL (or 5-HMF) in alcoholic media [14][15][16][17]. Propylfurfuryl ether with a yield of 10-19 % was obtained by FAL hydrogenation in propanol on copper-ruthenium and platinum catalysts.…”

“…EFE was obtained by FAL hydrogenation in ethanol on a Pd/C catalyst with 83 % selectivity and 98 % FAL conversion [16]. Propyl and butyl furfuryl ethers were obtained on a CuRu/C catalyst with selectivity of 62 and 41 %, respectively [17].…”

“…The papers [10,[14][15][16][17] assume that the formation of alkyl furfuryl ethers proceeds through the stages of formation and hydrogenolysis of acetals of furfural or 5-HMF. Consequently, the hydrogenolysis of FAL acetals into the corresponding ethers may gives alkyl furfuryl esters with better yields and selectivity (Fig.…”