Synthesis of 1,5‐Pentanediol by Hydrogenolysis of Furfuryl Alcohol over Ni–Y2O3 Composite Catalyst

Abstract The addition of Y 2 O 3 into Ni formed a composite catalyst that selectively produced 1,5‐pentanediol rather than 1,2‐pentanediol in the hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol at 2.0 MPa H 2 and 423 K. Clearly, 1,5‐pentanediol was produced over the Ni 0 –Y 2 O 3 boundary. This report highlights the properties of Ni–Y 2 O 3 , catalytic performance, and reaction route in the synthesis of 1,5‐pentanediol from furfuryl alcohol.