Catalytic transfer hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis for reductive upgrading of furfural and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural
David Scholz1, Christof Aellig, Ive Hermans
1Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich (Switzerland), Fax: (+41) 44-633-42-58.
Abstract:
The sequential transfer hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2-methylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran was studied over in situ reduced, Fe2 O3 -supported Cu, Ni, and Pd catalysts, with 2-propanol as hydrogen donor. The remarkable activity of Pd/Fe2 O3 in both transfer hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis is attributed to a strong metal-support interaction. Selectivity towards hydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, decarbonylation, and ring-hydrogenation products is shown to strongly depend on the Pd loading. A significant enhancement in yield to 62%, of 2-methylfuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran was observed under continuous flow conditions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.


