Transfer Hydrogenation of Furfural to 2-Methylfuran over a Cu-BTC-Derived Catalyst with Isopropanol as a Hydrogen Donor

Abstract

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural is an environmentally friendly approach for the production of biofuels such as 2-methylfuran (2-MF). The presence of both metallic and Lewis acid sites in the catalyst is required to produce 2-MF by this process. However, the inherent unstable nature of these catalytic sites poses a significant challenge to controlling their stoichiometry. Herein, we report the preparation of a highly active and robust catalyst through the pyrolysis of a Cu-BTC metal–organic framework under controlled conditions. This catalyst exhibits outstanding performance in furfural transfer hydrogenation using isopropyl alcohol as the hydrogen donor. Under optimized conditions of 250 °C and 5 bar, we achieved 100% furfural conversion with a 77% selectivity toward 2-MF after 6 h reaction time by using Cu-BTC pyrolyzed at 310 °C as a catalyst. The observed superior activity could be attributed to the presence of both Cu(I) and Cu(0) sites in the catalyst, in combination with high acidic site concentrations. This work introduces a facile method for establishing a stable coexistence of metallic and acid sites in Cu-based catalysts, showcasing its potential for advancing sustainable biofuel production. Notably, this strategic catalyst design opens avenues for broader applications in sustainable catalysis.