Facile Hydrogenation of Furfural by MOF‐Derived Graphitic Carbon Wrapped FeCo Bimetallic Catalysts

Abstract

AbstractA catalytic system for selective transformation of furfural into biofuel is highly desirable. However, selective hydrogenation of the C=O group over the furan ring of furfural to produce ether in one step is challenging. Here, we report the preparation of a series of magnetically recoverable FeCo@GC nano‐alloys (37–40 nm). Fe3O4 (3–5 nm) and MOF‐71 (Co), used as the Co and C source, were mixed together in a range of Fe/Co ratios, and then encapsulated in a graphitic carbon (GC) shell to prepare such alloys. STEM‐HAADF shows the darker core made of FeCo and the shell of graphitic carbon. Furfural is hydrogenated to produce >99% isopropyl furfuryl ether in isopropanol with >99% conversion at 170 °C under 40 bars of H2, whereas n‐chain alcohol, such as ethanol, produces corresponding ethyl levulinate in 93%. The synergistic effect due to the charge transfer from Fe to Co leads to higher reactivity of FeCo@GC. The catalyst, which can be separated from the reaction medium using a simple magnet without significant damage to the surface or composition, retained its reactivity and selectivity for up to four consecutive cycles.