Hydrogen Doping into MoO3 Supports toward Modulated Metal–Support Interactions and Efficient Furfural Hydrogenation on Iridium Nanocatalysts

Graphical The straight dope : Controlled hydrogen doping into MoO 3 supports by means of H 2 spillover was introduced to vary the metal–support interactions with Ir, thereby achieving efficient hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol under mild conditions (see figure). As promising supports, reducible metal oxides afford strong metal–support interactions to achieve efficient catalysis, which relies on their band states and surface stoichiometry. In this study, in situ and controlled hydrogen doping (H doping) by means of H 2 spillover was employed to engineer the metal–support interactions in hydrogenated MoO x -supported Ir (Ir/H−MoO x ) catalysts and thus promote furfural hydrogenation to furfuryl alcohol. By easily varying the reduction temperature, the resulting H doping in a controlled manner tailors low-valence Mo species (Mo 5+ and Mo 4+ ) on H−MoO x supports, thereby promoting charge redistribution on Ir and H−MoO x interfaces. This further leads to clear differences in H 2 chemisorption on Ir, which illustrates its potential for catalytic hydrogenation. As expected, the optimal Ir/H−MoO x with controlled H doping afforded high activity (turnover frequency: 4.62 min −1 ) and selectivity (>99 %) in furfural hydrogenation under mild conditions ( T= 30 °C, P =2 MPa), which means it performs among the best of current catalysts.