Hydrogenolysis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural To Produce 2,5-Dimethylfuran over ZrO2 Supported Cu and RuCu Catalysts

Glucose dehydration to HMF and its hydrogenolysis to DMF, a suitable biofuel, have been studied using the same catalysts for both processes. The 10CuZr catalyst shows the highest HMF yield (25.6%) with an acceptable glucose conversion (75.8%) after 1.5 h on stream. By increasing the time on stream from 1.5 to 5.5 h the HMF yield (33.2%) and glucose conversion (94.5%) are improved. In the case of DMF production, the 15CuZr catalyst shows the highest DMF yield (30%). This behavior is notably improved when Ru is added to the 15CuZr catalyst, reaching a DMF yield of 45.6%. These activity results could be related to the higher amount of Cu-0 species exposed on the catalyst surface and the increase of coke resistance. Finally, the 1Ru15CuZr catalyst is used in DMF production using glucose derived HMF as raw material, and a DMF yield and HMF conversion of 16.4% and 77.5% are achieved, respectively.