Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol over a magnetic Fe3O4@C catalyst

Carbon-encapsulated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@C) catalysts were prepared by a solvothermal method using glucose as the carbon source and their physicochemical properties were characterized via various analytical techniques. Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural over Fe3O4@C catalysts was investigated with isopropanol as the solvent and hydrogen donor. The Fe3O4@C catalysts exhibited high catalytic furfural transfer hydrogenation activity, selectivity of furfuryl alcohol, and high reusability. The mechanism of catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural by Fe3O4@C obeys the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction on a Lewis acid site (Fe3O4).