The production of amine intermediates from biomass is capturing increasing attention. Herein, a simple and efficient preparation of l furan‐derived amines was developed [e.g., 1‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylpentan‐2‐amine] with high yield (up to 95 %) from (E)‐1‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐5‐methylhex‐1‐en‐3‐one. The catalyst used was Ru/C, and it was recyclable up to the fourth cycle. To further realize cost‐efficiency, a one‐reactor tandem concept was attempted. To this aim direct reaction from furfural was investigated. A high yield (74 %) towards 1‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylpentan‐2‐amine could be achieved starting directly from furfural in the presence of methyl isobutyl ketone, NH3, H2, and Ru/C catalyst.
Xylose can be selectively converted to xylitol in water, with an optimized yield of 98 %, in the presence of a simple silica supported monometallic cobalt – Co/SiO2 – catalyst. This catalyst displays initial outstanding catalytic properties in a proper solvent, the best results being obtained in pure water. Recyclability studies show a moderate deactivation of the catalyst, while selectivity to xylitol remains almost unchanged after 4 cycles, confirming that this catalyst formulation is very promising for the xylitol production process.
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