Synthesis of 2-methylfuran from wood sawdust derived furfural by hydrogenation in the butanol/propanol media using 2CuOCr2O3 as a catalyst

The new study on synthesis of 2-methylfuran from Acacia mangium wood sawdust derived furfural by was carried out by muti-steps process with hydrogenation using the copper chrome as catalyst. The appropriate conditions of the hydrogenation process in a butanol/propanol medium for preparation of wood sawdust derived 2-methylfuran from furfural were established as follows: catalyst dosage was 20%, reaction temperature was 150oC and 180oC, retention time at the maximum temperature was 8 and 10 hrs, reaction presure was 8 amt. Under these conditions, yield of methylfuran was up 18.4 to 24.6 % mol over the furfural. The study opens a new way for production of green fuel additives.