Selective transformation of furfural to cyclopentanone

An entirely new route for highly selective preparation of cyclopentanone from furfural is described. It has been found that furfural dissolved in water is converted to cyclopentanone with very high selectivity at temperatures above 140 degrees C and hydrogen pressures >30 bar. The selectivity of this reaction is strongly influenced by the heterogeneous catalyst and depends on the reaction conditions. Prolongation of the reaction time leads to the hydrogenation of cyclopentanone to cyclopentanol. If instead of water other solvents are used, the main products of reaction are well known hydrogenated derivatives of furfural, i.e. furfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, 2-methylfuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. In the presence of 5% Pt/C catalyst, 76.50 mol% yield of cyclopentanone (81.32 mol% comprehensive yield of cyclopentanone and cyclopentanol) is obtained after 30 min of reaction at 160 degrees C and a hydrogen pressure of 80 bar. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.