A High‐Throughput Composite Catalyst based on Nickel Carbon Cubes for the Hydrogenation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐Dimethylfuran

A high‐throughput composite catalyst is prepared from porous carbon with an unconventional nanocube morphology decorated with nickel nanoparticles. Owing to the advantageous properties of the designed carbon support, the composite combines a high surface area and a hierarchical pore structure with high functionality. Furthermore, the regularly shaped nanocubes allow for a good packing of a fixed‐bed flow reactor, in which the internal transport pores cannot be blocked and stay open for efficient column performance. The composite is employed as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5‐dimethylfuran (DMF), showing good catalytic performance and overcoming the conventional problem of column blocking. A functional nickel‐carbon composite catalyst is prepared from porous carbon decorated with nickel nanoparticles. The composite catalyst possesses an unusual nanocube morphology, which allows for a good packing of a fixed‐bed flow reactor. The composite cubes are tested for the hydrogenation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5‐dimethylfuran (DMF) within a continuous‐flow setup showing no significant back pressure (Δp≈0 bar).