Tandem dehydration–transfer hydrogenation reactions of xylose to furfuryl alcohol over zeolite catalysts†
Abstract
Dehydration and transfer hydrogenation tandem reactions of xylose to furfuryl alcohol in water/isopropanol were performed on MFI, FAU and BEA zeolites. An unprecedented selectivity of 75% was accomplished on zeolite beta, evidencing the crucial role of the configuration of tetrahedral framework Al-Lewis centres.