Selective production of furfuryl alcohol via gas phase hydrogenation of furfural over Au/Al2O3

•Exclusive hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol over Au/Al2O3•∆Eact for furfuryl alcohol production under catalytic control is 45 kJ mol− 1.•Hydrogenolysis (to 2-methylfuran) circumvented by reaction at T < 473 K•Au/Al2O3 delivered significantly higher TOF than benchmark supported Cu.

We report exclusive continuous gas phase hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol over Au/Al2O3 (∆Ea = 45 kJ mol− 1). Characterisation measurements demonstrate the formation of Auδ − (from XPS analysis) nanoparticles (1–8 nm, mean = 4.3 nm) with H2 chemisorption capacity of 318 μmol gAu− 1 (at 413 K). Chemical kinetic control was established by experimental variation of contact time, catalyst/furfural feed ratio and temperature. At T ≥ 473 K, hydrogenolysis to 2-methylfuran predominated. Selective TOF (298 h− 1 at 433 K) over Au/Al2O3 exceeded values reported for benchmark Cu catalysts at higher temperature (453–498 K).

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