Liquid phase catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural over homogeneous Lewis acid-Ru/C catalystsLiquid phase catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural over homogeneous Lewis acid-Ru/C catalysts Σύντομη Δημοσίευση σε Συνέδριο Conference Short Paper 2015-11-152014enThe catalytic performance of homogeneous Lewis acid catalysts and their interaction with Ru/C catalyst are studied in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural by using 2-propanol as a solvent and hydrogen donor. We find that Lewis acid catalysts hydrogenate the furfural to furfuryl alcohol, which is then etherified with 2-propanol. The catalytic activity is correlated with an empirical scale of Lewis acid strength and exhibits a volcano behavior. Lanthanides are the most active, with DyCl3 giving complete furfural conversion and a 97 % yield of furfuryl alcohol at 180 °C after 3 h. The combination of Lewis acid and Ru/C catalysts results in synergy for the stronger Lewis acid catalysts, with a significant increase in the furfural conversion and methyl furan yield. Optimum results are obtained by using Ru/C combined with VCl3, AlCl3, SnCl4, YbCl3, and RuCl3. Our results indicate that the combination of Lewis acid/metal catalysts is a general strategy for performing tandem reactions in the upgrade of furans.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/2046–2054 Catalysis Club of Philadelphia annual poster contest Panagiotopoulou Paraskevi Παναγιωτοπουλου Παρασκευη Vlachos G. Dionisios Martin Nickolas Wiley