Hydrogenolysis of Furfuryl Alcohol to 1,2‐Pentanediol Over Supported Ruthenium Catalysts

Hydrogenolysis of the furan rings of furfural and furfuryl alcohol, which can be obtained from biomass, has attracted attention as a method for obtaining valuable chemicals such as 1,2‐pentanediol. In this study, we examined the hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol to 1,2‐pentanediol over Pd/C, Pt/C, Rh/C, and various supported Ru catalysts in several solvents. In particular, we investigated the effects of combinations of solvents and supports on the reaction outcome. Of all the tested combinations, Ru/MgO in water gave the best selectivity for 1,2‐pentanediol: with this catalyst, 42 % selectivity for 1,2‐pentanediol was achieved upon hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol for 1 h at 463 K. In contrast, reaction in water in the presence of Ru/Al(2)O(3) afforded cyclopentanone and cyclopentanol by means of hydrogenation and rearrangement reactions.