Metal–organic frameworks derived magnetic Fe3O4/C for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol

Abstact BACKGROUND Fe based metal organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) were prepared by solvothermal method, and carbon loaded Fe 3 O 4 (Fe 3 O 4 /C) was prepared by pyrolytic carbonization and carbothermal reduction. RESULTS Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical structure of Fe-MOFs and Fe 3 O 4 /C under different solvothermal and calcination conditions. Fe 3 O 4 /C was then employed as a catalyst for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural with alcohol as a hydrogen donor, and the effect of hydrogen donor species, reaction temperature, and reaction time were investigated. CONCLUSION The Fe 3 O 4 /C catalyst could be easily collected with a magnet and reused for four runs without significant loss of its catalytic. A possible mechanism for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural over Fe 3 O 4 /C was proposed. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)