Aqueous phase hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol over Pd/UiO-66

A Pd/UiO-66 catalyst was synthesized with well-dispersed Pd nanoparticles. The obtained catalyst was tested in the hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol in various solvents, Water was found to be the most suitable solvent. Pd/UiO-66 exhibited much higher activity than Pd/SiO2 and Pd/gamma-Al2O3, completely converting furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol with 100% selectivity under mild conditions. The hydrogenation of C-O moiety in tetrahydrofurfural was rate-determining step. Static adsorption measurement indicated that the ad-sorption of furfural on UiO-66 was significantly stronger than that on SiO2 or gamma-Al2O3, suggesting that the adsorption play an important role in the gas-liquid-solid furfural hydrogenation reaction.

Automated summary

Pd/UiO-66 catalyst showed higher activity and selectivity in the furfural hydrogenation reaction, with the hydrogenation of the C-O moiety in tetrahydrofurfural being the rate-determining step. Adsorption of furfural on UiO-66 was significantly stronger than on SiO2 or gamma-Al2O3, indicating its important role in the reaction.