Multifunctional NiCoTi Catalyst Derived from Layered Double Hydroxides for Selective Hydrogenation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Dimethylfuran

Abstract

Multifunctional NiCoTi metal oxide catalysts (denoted herein as NiCoTi-x, where x is the molar ratio Ni + Co:Ti) were successfully prepared by thermal treatment of NiCoTi layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors. The NiCoTi-x catalysts were then applied to the hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). The Ni:Co:Ti molar ratio in the catalysts was found to strongly influence both catalyst activity and product selectivity. A NiCoTi-8 catalyst, containing Ni, Co and Ti in a 4:4:1 molar ratio (i.e. Ni + Co/Ti = 8), displayed outstanding performance for HMF hydrogenation at 200 °C and 1.5 MPa, evidenced by a 90.7% HMF conversion and 95.8% selectivity to DMF. Graphic Abstract: A ternary metal oxide catalyst derived from a layered double hydroxide was proposed for the efficient and selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-methylfuran.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]