Hydrogenation‐Rearrangement of Furfural over Cu‐based Catalysts with Abundant Lewis Acid Sites

Abstract

Cyclopentanone (CPO) and cyclopentanol (CPL), derived from renewable biomass resource hemicellulose, are considered sustainable chemicals that can substitute fossil‐based products, which could be obtained through the hydrogenation‐rearrangement reaction of furfural (FFA). However, the inevitable condensation reactions of FFA and furfuryl alcohol (FA) in aqueous solutions generate humins and result in carbon loss, limiting the industrial application of this process. Herein, a series of Cu‐based catalysts were synthesized using the reverse co‐precipitation method with various metal promoters and applied in the FFA hydrogenation‐rearrangement reaction. The highest yield of 97.1% CPO/CPL achieved in a typical reaction condition at 200 °C, 4 MPa, in 20 wt% isopropanol‐water mixed solvent over CuZnZr catalyst and the recyclability test confirmed that the catalyst had excellent stability. Experimental studies and characterizations showed that the enhanced performance could be attributed to the adequate Lewis acid sites, regulated through the synergistic interaction between Cu, Zn, and Zr compounds. The simultaneous introduction of Zn and Zr promotes the Cu reduction, and results in more dispersed Cu0 and Cu+, providing an ample and reliable active site. This study outlines a viable method for the catalyst designing and valorizing biomass into high‐value‐added products.