Catalytic production of 2,5-dimethylfuran from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over Ni/Co3O4 catalyst

•A non-precious metal catalyst Ni/Co3O4 was prepared using a simple hydrothermal method.•As high as 76% DMF yield was achieved under relatively mild conditions.•The catalyst can be recycled for 6 times without a significant loss of activity.

Ni/Co3O4, a non-precious metal catalyst was used for the first time in the catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). Under relatively mild conditions (130 °C, 1.0 MPa), as high as 76% yield of DMF was achieved. The addition of Ni not only prevented the formation of by-products, which happened due to the over-reduction of Co3O4 during hydrogenolysis, but also enhanced the reusability of Ni/Co3O4, and the catalyst could be reused for 6 times without loss of activity.

Graphical abstractA non-precious metal catalyst, Ni/Co3O4 prepared with the hydrothermal method was used for the first time in the catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and exhibited excellent catalytic performance.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide