Structural Properties of Ni/γ?Al2O3 and Cu/γ?Al2O3 Catalyst and its Application for Hydrogenation of Furfurylidene Acetone

Hydrogenation of furfurylidene acetone has been carried out using Ni/γ?Al₂O₃ and Cu/γ?Al₂O₃ catalyst in the presence of isopropanol in autoclave batch reactor. The hydrogenation using Cu/γ?Al₂O₃ at 120^oC for 6 h gives main formation of 1,5-bis-(furan-2-yl)-pentan-3-one. Reaction at higher temperature at 140^oC for 8 h using Ni/γ?Al₂O₃ leads to 1,5-bis-(furan-2-yl)-penta-1-en-3-one. The different selectivity of both catalysts is explained by physical properties including the surface area and distribution of metal loading.