Selective conversion of furfural to cyclopentanol over cobalt catalysts in one step

A series of cobalt catalysts with different supports were prepared for the selective conversion of biomassderived furfural to cyclopentanol (CPL) in one step. The best CPL yield was 82 mol% at 160℃, 2 MPa H₂, 4 h when cobalt was supported on ZrO₂-La₂O₃. The supports were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD). The XRD results indicated that the more stable t-ZrO₂ formed by doping La₂O₃. The amount of acid sites of the catalyst increased, too. The influences of parameters such as reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure, and reaction time on the catalytic activity were also investigated. The polymer formed during the reaction may cause the deactivation of the Co/ZrO₂-La₂O₃ catalyst. This work provides a possibility to prepare the stable t-ZrO₂ and apply with cobalt metal for biomass valorization.