Unravelling the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to 1,4-pentanediol catalysed by supported RANEY® Ni–Sn alloy catalysts

Bimetallic Ni–Sn alloys have been recognised as promising catalysts for the transformation of furanic compounds and their derivatives into valuable chemicals. Herein, we report the utilisation of a supported bimetallic RANEY® nickel–tin alloy supported on aluminium hydroxide (RNi–Sn(x)/AlOH; x is Ni/Sn molar ratio) catalysts for the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PeD). The as prepared RNi–Sn(1.4)/AlOH catalyst exhibited the highest yield of 1,4-PeD (78%). The reduction of RNi–Sn(x)/AlOH with H₂ at 673–873 K for 1.5 h resulted in the formation of Ni–Sn alloy phases (e.g., Ni₃Sn and Ni₃Sn₂) and caused the transformation of aluminium hydroxide (AlOH) to amorphous alumina (AA). The RNi–Sn(1.4)/AA 673 K/H₂ catalyst contained a Ni₃Sn₂ alloy as the major phase, which exhibited the best yield of 1,4-PeD from furfural (87%) at 433 K, H₂ 3.0 MPa for 12 h and from levulinic acid (up to 90%) at 503 K, H₂ 4.0 MPa, for 12 h. Supported RANEY® Ni–Sn(1.5)/AC and three types of supported Ni–Sn(1.5) alloy (e.g., Ni–Sn(1.5)/AC, Ni–Sn(1.5)/c-AlOH, and Ni–Sn(1.5)/γ-Al₂O₃) catalysts afforded high yields of 1,4-PeD (65–87%) both from furfural and levulinic acid under the optimised reaction conditions.

The RANEY® Ni–Sn(x) alloy catalysed the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to allow remarkable yield of 1,4-pentanediol (up to 90%) under the mild reaction conditions.