HZ-ZrP Catalysts with Adjustable Ratio of Bronsted and Lewis Acids for the One-Pot Value-Added Conversion of Biomass-Derived Furfural

Bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts (HZ-ZrP) were prepared by using HZSM-5 as the carrier to support a zirconium phosphate (ZrP) active component for the one-pot value-added conversion of biomass-derived furfural (FAL). By changing the loading amount of ZrP, the ratio of Lewis to Bronsted acid (2.7-15.4) and the acid strength of the catalysts can be adjusted. HZ-ZrP-5 and HZ-ZrP-16 were selected for the production of different value-added chemicals, and a total yield of up to 93.8% (i-PL and GVL) and 64.2% (GVL) were obtained using isopropanol as the hydrogen donor under optimized conditions, respectively. Furthermore, stability and recyclability of the catalyst were also tested and showed no significant drop in total yield after recalcination. The catalysts have high activity (E-a = 27.05 +/- 3.08 kJ mo1(-1)), but the ring-opening reaction restricted the cascade reaction. In addition, a possible reaction pathway and mechanism for the FAL conversion were proposed.