Bifunctional nanoparticle–SILP catalysts (NPs@SILP) for the selective deoxygenation of biomass substrates

Ruthenium nanoparticles were immobilized onto an acidic supported ionic liquid phase (RuNPs[at]SILP) in the development of bifunctional catalysts for the selective deoxygenation of biomass substrates. RuNPs[at]SILPs possessed high catalytic activities, selectivities and recyclabilities in the hydrogenolytic deoxygenation and ring opening of C sub(8)- and C sub(9)-substrates derived from furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and acetone. Tailoring the acidity of the SILP through the ionic liquid loading provided a molecular parameter by which the catalytic activity and selectivity of the RuNPs[at]SILPs were controlled to provide a flexible catalyst system toward the formation of different classes of value-added products: cyclic ethers, primary alcohols or aliphatic ethers.