Selective tandem hydrogenation and rearrangement of furfural to cyclopentanone over CuNi bimetallic catalyst in water

Tandem catalysis for the hydrogenation rearrangement of furfural (FA) provides an attractive solution manufacturing cyclopentanone (CPO) from renewable biomass resources. The CuNi/Al-MCM-41 catalyst was synthesized and afforded excellent catalytic performance with 99.0% conversion 97.7% selectivity to CPO in a near-neutral under 2.0 MPa H2 at 160 °C 5 h, much higher than those on other molecular sieve supports including MCM-41, SBA-15, HY, ZSM-5. A small amount Al highly dispersed MCM-41 plays anchoring role ensures formation CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). remarkably improved may be attributed synergistic charge transfer effects. In addition, initial FA concentration aqueous system pH required precise control minimize polymerization achieve high CPO. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy mass spectra results indicated that sensitive values. Under acidic conditions, intermediate furfuryl alcohol polymerize, while 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone mainly polymerizes alkaline blocking cascade multiple reactions. Therefore, conditions are most suitable minimizing impact polymerization. This study useful current universal problems side reactions low carbon balance conversion.