A Non‐Noble Monometallic Catalyst Derived from Cu–MOFs for Highly Selective Hydrogenation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐Dimethylfuran.

Selective hydrogenation of biomass 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2, 5‐dimethylfuran (DMF) which is a suitable candidate for liquid fuel has been widely concerned. Developing efficient and economic catalysts for the hydrogenation of HMF to DMF under mild conditions is a crucial issue. Here series monometallic Cu‐based catalysts were synthesized from controlled thermolysis of Cu‐BTC metal‐organic frameworks and characterized by TG, N2 adsorption‐desorption, XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and H2‐TPR techniques. The CuOx@C catalyst with Cu2O/Cu composites enwrapped in porous carbon matrix derived from Cu‐BTC by two steps thermolysis treatment shows high hydrogenation activity with 100% conversion of HMF and 92% selectivity of DMF at 180 °C under 3 MPa H2 pressure. The oxidation treatment following up the thermolysis of Cu‐BTC under inert atmosphere increases the content of Cu+ in the catalyst and improves the activity of the catalyst, which is mainly owe to the synergetic effect between Cu+ and Cu0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]