Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of bio-based furfural by palladium supported on nitrogen-doped porous carbon

Highly porous carbon was prepared via a zeolite hard templating route. Subsequent melamine treatment produced nitrogen-functionalized carbon (NPC), which was used as a support to anchor Pd nanoparticles (Pd/NPC) of sizes 2–4 nm using the chemical reduction method. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the textural properties, structure, and chemical nature of the catalyst. Pd/NPC was then employed as a catalyst for the transfer hydrogenation of biomass-derived furfural (FF) to furfuryl alcohol (FFA) with alcohol as a hydrogen donor, and the effect of temperature, hydrogen donor species, reaction time, and catalysts loading were investigated. The Pd/NPC catalyst was reusable up to five times without any apparent loss of its activity and selectivity. A possible mechanistic pathway for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of FF over Pd/NPC catalyst was proposed.