Metal Phosphide:A Highly Efficient Catalyst for the Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Furfural to 2-Methylfuran

A series of metal phosphides were prepared by temperature programmed reduction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), P-31 magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (P-31 MASNMR), ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) and pyridine infrared spectroscopy (Py-IR), their catalytic performance were investigated in the hydrodeoxygenation of furfural to form 2-methylfuran. The effects of metal phosphide and the initial P/Ni molar ratios on the hydrodeoxygenation of furfural were studied, and the reaction conditions were optimized. Furfural was thoroughly converted when the reaction was carried out under 240 degrees C and 2.0 MPa for 4h over MoP or Ni2P, and the selectivity of 2-methylfuran was achieved 83.1% when the Ni2P_0.5 was employed as a catalyst. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the Ni2P_0.5 catalyst could be used for six times with slightly decrease in catalytic performance.