Butanols and pentanols can be prepared in high selectivity from furfural reduction in acatalyzed continuous hydrogenation process. The catalyst should have bifunctional activity with both hydrogenation and acidic sites. A co-solvent is necessary to mitigate furfural pluggingduring extended operation. Both ethanol and hydroxymethyl tetrahydrofuran are suitable co-solvents. Hydroxymethyl tetrahydrofuran is an intermediate in the reduction of furfural to alcohols and higher overall yields from furfural can be obtained by recycling unreacted hydroxymethyl tetrahydrofuran for use as the reaction solvent.

Hydrogenation of furfural to butanol and pentanols for renewable gasoline blendstocks

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.