Liquid-phase transfer hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol on Cu–Mg–Al catalysts

•Small metal Cu particles are very active for hydrogen transfer from 2-propanol.•Cu–Mg–Al catalysts are active and selective for liquid-phase transfer hydrogenation.•Total furfural conversion is reached in liquid transfer hydrogenation with Cu–Mg–Al.•Selectivity to furfuryl alcohol of 100% is attained with Cu–Mg–Al catalysts.

The liquid-phase transfer hydrogenation of furfural on Cu-based catalysts was studied. Catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation (Cu/SiO2) and co-precipitation (Cu–Mg–Al). The effect of metal-support interaction, hydrogen donor, copper loading and temperature on catalytic performance was evaluated. Small particles, strongly interacting with a spinel-like matrix, had higher capability for transferring hydrogen than large ones having low interaction with support. An important increase in reaction rate was observed when temperature was raised from 110 to 150 °C. Thus, it was possible to attain complete furfural conversion to furfuryl alcohol with Cu(40%)–Mg–Al after 6 h at 150 °C.

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