Efficient hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dimethylfuran over a cobalt and copper bimetallic catalyst on N-graphene-modified Al2O3

Abstract

2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF) is an important candidate for liquid fuels and can be produced from biomass derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Efficient transformation of HMF to DMF has not been achieved over a non-noble catalyst under milder conditions. Herein, we developed a copper and cobalt bimetallic nanoparticle catalyst supported on N-graphene-modified Al₂O₃ (CuCo®/NGr/α-Al₂O₃). It was found that CuCo®/NGr/α-Al₂O₃ could catalyze the conversion of HMF to DMF effectively and the yield of DMF could reach 99%. The catalyst was completely not active for the hydrogenation of the CC bond in furan and thus no 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (DHTHF) and 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran (DMTHF) were detected.