Efficient valorization of biomass-derived furfural to fuel bio-additive over aluminum phosphate

Aluminum phosphates (APO-5s) were synthesized and evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts for the valorization of furfural to furfuryl acetals (FAs) alcohol ethers (FAEs). Weakly acidic APO-5 (Al/P = 1) exhibited excellent catalytic performance with 96 % FA yield in ethylene glycol, analysis acetalization reaction supported that adsorption catalyst sites co-catalyzed reaction. In addition, was stable reusable though some deactivation after five recycles. Oppositely, more 1.5) catalyzed one-pot synthesis FAE 55 2-propanol unchanged three successive reactions intermediate calcination. The pathway direct hydrogenolysis acetal into ether by transfer hydrogenation etherification promoted co-solvent 1,4-dioxane, possibly hydrogen bonding. study demonstrates a simple approach design APO systems allowing very efficient highly selective fuel bio-additives.