Recent advances in electrocatalytic upgrading of biomass-derived furfural

As the source of renewable organic carbon, the utilization of biomass-derived molecules plays a crucial role in the selective upgrading into high-value chemicals and fuels, thereby mitigating the energy crisis caused by the scarcity of conventional fossil fuels. Due to its distinctive chemical structure, furfural (FFR) is widely recognized as one of the most significant platform molecules derived from biomass and can be transformed into a wide range of valuable chemicals, including 2-furoic acid and 2-methylfuran. Recently, electrochemical conversion has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional catalysis which typically necessitates high-temperature and high-pressure conditions for realizing the conversion of FFR into a variety of value-added products under environmentally friendly and benign conditions. Herein, we comprehensively summarized recent advancements in the electrochemical conversion of FFR, which are categorized by different reaction pathways encompassing both electro-reduction and electro-oxidation reactions. Furthermore, we specifically emphasize the latest advancements in advanced electrode materials for providing guidance and assistance for the future highly selective preparation of target products. Finally, the challenges and prospects related to the transformation of electrochemical FFR are delineated. We deem that this summary will provide a fundamental understanding of achieving high efficiency and selectivity in the design and preparation of corresponding catalysts for the early industrial application of electrocatalytic conversion of biomass-derived molecules. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.