An investigation of catalyst characteristics in the slurry-phase decarbonylation of furfural to furan

Various palladium catalysts were evaluated for their ability to catalyze the slurry-phase decarbonylation of furfural to furan. The catalysts were evaluated in a solvent system utilizing dibutyl phthalate.

Physical and chemical parameters of the catalysts were also determined. These parameters included palladium concentration, particle size distribution, palladium surface area, percent water and single point surface area.

The physical and chemical parameters were then correlated against the ability of each catalyst to catalyze the decarbonylation of furfural to furan. It was found that an optimum particle size distribution existed. It was also found that palladium concentration could be decreased to 2.5% with no negative reduction in catalytic activity.