Insight into the Co2+/Co3+ Sites for the Selective Reduction of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol

Abstract

Furfuryl alcohol (FFA) is an important organic chemical for chemical industry. Herein, a Co 3 AlO x catalyst was successfully prepared for the synthesis of FFA via the furfural (FF) hydrogenation. A 96.2% FFA yield were obtained eventually under the optimal condition. The incorporation of the Co 2+ species significantly improved the ratio of the oxygen vacancy on the surface of Co 3 AlO x , which favored to the adsorption of H 2 , then activation. The Co 3+ species provided anchors for the adsorption of the aldehyde group in FF. The adsorption of FF via the O-terminal of the aldehyde group in a vertical or tilted configuration on the surface of Co x AlO y ensured the efficient selective hydrogenation of FF to FFA. The stability and reusability tests of the catalyst showed that the excellent stability of Co 3 AlO x .

Keywords: Furfural, furfural alcohol, hydrogenation, Co3AlOx, oxygen vacancy