Selective Hydration of Furfurol in the Presence of Platinum-Containing Catalysts

In this study, it is found that furfural in the presence of Pt–M/Al2O3-catalysts (where M is Cu and Ni) at a temperature of 90°С is converted into furfuryl alcohol with selectivity reaching 90%; and at 150°C, it is converted to α-methylfuran with a selectivity of 92%. Note that the yield of furfural resinification products in the experiments performed does not exceed 5%. It is shown that tetralin is the most effective solvent, which prevents the resinification of furfural, and the use of aluminum oxide as a carrier makes it possible, at the same temperatures, to increase the degree of conversion of furfural in comparison with silicon oxide and sibunite. The results obtained allow us to propose an efficient method for the production of valuable petrochemical products from renewable raw materials.