Conversion of Furfural to Cyclopentanone over Ru/TiO2

The conversion of biomass derived furanic species to useful compounds is a challenging task, especially in the presence of the water, carboxylic aicds, and phenolics that are commonly present in real streams. Under the severe conditions required for the stabilization of these oxygenated species, furanic compounds readily undergo humin and coke formation. In this contribution, we discuss the selective transformation of furanic species to the thermally stable cyclopentanone via a Piancatelli rearrangement. We discuss the role of active sites and co-adsorbed species on Ru/TiO₂ for this transformation in the vapor phase. The role of partially hydrogenated intermediates, surface bound water, as well as defects on the TiO₂ support are discussed. Model compound studies are presented with accompanying reaction kinetics. Results are also presented with real biomass torrefaction vapors, where we report the rare circumstance selectivity enhancement to cyclopentanone by co-adsorption of various oxygenates.