Furfural, a biomass conversion intermediate, was reacted in the liquid phase under mild, reducing conditions with supported palladium catalysts. The effects of metal salt additives (e.g. NiCl2, CuCl2, SnCl2) in the liquid phase were analyzed. Commercial alumina- and carbon-supported palladium catalysts were used for reactions in isopropyl alcohol in atmospheric pressure of hydrogen using a balloon. Products were identified with a combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy (GC/IR). The catalyst support and the type of metal salt additive significantly altered the activity and selectivity of the reactions. In addition to expected hydrogenation products such as furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, other larger products were detected. Highest furfural conversion was achieved with reactions catalyzed by Pd/C with NiCl2 as an additive. Comparative reactions in other alcohol solvents were investigated to determine the role of the solvent in possible etherification pathways. Proposed reaction schemes will be presented and compared to recent literature in the field of biomass conversion.

Analysis of products from the liquid phase reaction of furfural under reducing conditions

251st National Meeting (2016)

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