Selective hydrogenation of furfural using TiO2-Fe2O3/C from Ti-Fe-MOFs as sacrificial template: Microwave vs Continuous flow experiments

Abstract

A TiO2-Fe2O3/C catalyst was synthesized utilizing Metal-Organic-Frameworks (MOFs) as a sacrificial template prepared by the solvothermal method and pyrolyzed in an inert nitrogen (N2) atmosphere. This material was characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction, N2 porosimetry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; these techniques confirmed its transformation into TiO2-Fe2O3/C. TiO2-Fe2O3/C was employed in the hydrogenation of furfural using isopropanol and formic acid as hydrogen donors and solvents to produce furfuryl alcohol. This reaction has been studied under microwave irradiation and continuous flow conditions. Results obtained (70% conversion and 100% selectivity in a continuous flow reactor) represent a significant advance in the design of selective biomass-derived conversion strategies, taking into account the frequently uncontrolled reactivities of such molecules that result in several reaction byproducts. This provides the opportunity to continue discovering selective processes with promising applications for the advancement of green chemistry.