Evaluation of the ZrO2/Al2O3 system as catalysts in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural to obtain furfuryl alcohol

ZrO2, Al2O3 and ZrO2/Al2O3 with different Zr/Al molar ratio, have been synthesized by coprecipitation and subsequent calcination. The resulting catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N-2 adsorption-desorption at -196 degrees C, CO2-thermoprogrammed desorption, NH3-thermoprogrammed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Then, the catalysts were evaluated in the Meenwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction of furfural (FUR) using 2-propanol as sacrificing alcohol. The catalyst with a Zr/Al molar ratio of 1, Zr5Al5, reached the highest conversion value at shorter reaction times, attaining a FUR conversion of 95 % with a yield of furfuryl alcohol (FOL) above 90 % after 5 h of reaction at 130 degrees C, due to its greater amount of acid sites, as well as higher specific surface area and pore volume.

Automated summary

ZrO2, Al2O3, and ZrO2/Al2O3 catalysts with different Zr/Al molar ratios were synthesized and characterized. The Zr5Al5 catalyst with a Zr/Al ratio of 1 exhibited the highest conversion and yield in the reduction of furfural reaction due to its abundant acid sites, specific surface area, and pore volume.