HYDROTALCITE-IMPREGNATED COPPER AND CHROMIUM-DOPED COPPER AS NOVEL AND EFFICIENT CATALYSTS FOR VAPOR-PHASE HYDROGENATION OF FURFURAL: EFFECT OF CLAY PRETREATMENT

Abstract A series of novel catalysts based on immobilization of copper and chromium-doped copper on calcined and uncalcined hydrotalcite support have been developed and used for promoting vapor-phase hydrogenation of furfural. The results indicated that a pre-calcination of the support has a negative role in changing the structural features and catalytic activity of the final catalysts. Moreover, the presence of the Cr promoter can improve the catalyst performance. The best performance (furfuryl alcohol selectivity of 94% and furfural conversion of 89%) was obtained over the Cr-doped copper catalyst supported on as-synthesized hydrotalcite material.