Selective conversion of furfural to cyclopentanol over cobalt catalysts in one step

A series of cobalt catalysts with different supports were prepared for the selective conversion of biomass-derived furfural to cyclopentanol (CPL) in one step. The best CPL yield was 82   mol% at 160   °C, 2   MPa H 2 , 4   h when cobalt was supported on ZrO 2 -La 2 O 3 . The supports were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH 3 -TPD). The XRD results indicated that the more stable t-ZrO 2 formed by doping La 2 O 3 . The amount of acid sites of the catalyst increased, too. The influences of parameters such as reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure, and reaction time on the catalytic activity were also investigated. The polymer formed during the reaction may cause the deactivation of the Co/ZrO 2 -La 2 O 3 catalyst. This work provides a possibility to prepare the stable t-ZrO 2 and apply with cobalt metal for biomass valorization.