Highly loaded copper-containing catalysts for hydroconversion of furfural

Highly loaded copper-containing catalysts synthesized by different methods (sol-gel, alloying and coprecipitation) were studied in hydroconversion of furfural in a batch reactor at a hydrogen pressure 5.0 MPA and temperature 100 °С. The reduction temperature and phase composition of the catalysts were determined using physicochemical methods. The highest activity in the process under consideration was observed for the coprecipitated copper-alumina catalyst, which at 100–130 °С allows obtaining furfuryl alcohol with 100 % selectivity; in addition, 2-methylfuran can be produced in the presence of this catalyst with the yield of 65 % at 200 °С. The phase composition of the catalyst reduced at a chosen temperature and the catalyst after the reaction was determined.