Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Furfural into Furfuryl Alcohol over Magnetic γ-Fe2O3@HAP Catalyst

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of the C═O bond has been considered to be one of the most important processes for the synthesis of fuels and chemicals. In this study, we have developed a metal-free transfer hydrogenation of furfural into furfuryl alcohol and some other valuable carbonyl compounds into alcohols as the hydrogen donors. Hydroxyapatite-encapsulated magnetic γ-Fe2O3 (γ-Fe2O3@HAP) acted as a magnetic base to promote this transfer hydrogenation with iso-propanol as the hydrogen donor. The catalytic performance of the γ-Fe2O3@HAP catalyst was greatly affected by the structure of alcohol. iso-Propanol was the best hydrogen donor for the transfer hydrogenation. In addition, the reaction temperature and the catalyst loading also affected this reaction. The highest yield of furfuryl alcohol reached 91.7% at a furfural conversion of 96.2%. Furthermore, this method was also useful for the transfer hydrogenation of other important carbonyl compounds into value-added chemicals and fuels. After the reaction, the γ-Fe2O3@HAP catalyst could be easily collected with the assistant of a magnet, and reused for six runs without the loss of its catalytic activity.