Selective production of furfuryl alcohol via gas phase hydrogenation of furfural over Au/Al2O3

We report exclusive continuous gas phase hydrogenation of furfural to furfutyl alcohol over Au/Al2O3 (Delta E-a = 45 kJ mol(-1)). Characterisation measurements demonstrate the formation of Au delta- (from XPS analysis) nanopartides (1-8 nm, mean = 43 nm) with H-2 chemisorption capacity of 318 mu mol g(Au)(-1) (at 413 K). Chemical kinetic control was established by experimental variation of contact time, catalyst/furfural feed ratio and temperature. At T >= 473 K, hydrogenolysis to 2-methylfuran predominated. Selective TOP (298 h(-1) at 433 K) over Au/Al2O3 exceeded values reported for benchmark Cu catalysts at higher temperature (453-498 K). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.