Reticular Coordination Induced Interfacial Interstitial Carbon Atoms on Ni Nanocatalysts for Highly Selective Hydrogenation of Bio-Based Furfural under Facile Conditions.

A rational design of transition metal catalysts to achieve selective hydrogenation of furfural (FFR) to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) under facile conditions is a promising option. In this work, a series of Ni catalysts were synthesized by controlled thermal treatment of Ni-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with the purpose of modulating the interface of nickel nanoparticles by the reticular coordination in MOF precursors. The catalytic performance indicates that Ni/C catalyst obtained at 400 °C exhibits efficient conversion of FFR (>99%) and high selectivity to THFA (96.1%), under facile conditions (80 °C, 3 MPa H 2 , 4.0 h). The decomposition of MOF at low temperatures results in highly dispersed Ni 0 particles and interfacial charge transfer from metal to interstitial carbon atoms induced by coordination in MOF. The electron-deficient Ni species on the Ni surface results in an electropositive surface of Ni nanoparticles in Ni/C-400, which ameliorates furfural adsorption and enhances the hydrogen heterolysis process, finally achieving facile hydrogenation of FFR to THFA.