Single-step conversion of xylose to furfural and furfuryl alcohol on zeolite-based catalyst

Abstract

Furfural possesses the potential to be utilized as a platform compound for the synthesis of a wide variety of chemicals, especially furfuryl alcohol, which is an important intermediate used to produce high-value chemicals. In this research, several types of zeolite catalysts in hydrogen form are used as catalysts for conversion of xylose to produce furfural and furfuryl alcohol in one step. The reaction is carried out under 130°C, 30 bar hydrogen pressure, and 2 h reaction time. Acid site types (Lewis and Bronsted) are important for the catalysis and distribution of the product. Bronsted acid sites promote xylose dehydration to furfural production. On the other hand, Lewis acid sites promote hydrogenation to furfuryl alcohol or xylitol. The HY-500 catalyst provides high conversion of xylose at 61.7 percent and the highest selective to furfural and furfur alcohol at 58.5 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively. In addition, the structure of the zeolite catalyst is also an important factor affecting the accessibility of the reactants and products within the pores of the zeolite catalyst to facilitate the reaction within the pore. The characterization of the catalyst using N2-physisorption, X-ray diffraction, SEM, XRF, 27Al and 29Si solid-state NMR, NH3-TPD and pyridine infrared spectroscopy technique.