Production of linear alkane via hydrogenative ring opening of a furfural-derived compound in supercritical carbon dioxide

A simple method has been described to accomplish the formation of linear alkane with >99% selectivity in supercritical carbon dioxide under very mild conditions using Pd/Al-MCM-41 catalyst. The linear alakne was formed through the hydrogenation and dehydration/hydrogenation of 4-5-(5-(hydroxymethyl)furan-2-yl)but-3-en-2-one, which is an aldol condensation product of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural and acetone.