The catalytic transformation of biomass-derived platform molecules represents a key strategy for the development of sustainable chemical processes and circular bioeconomy approaches. In countries with strong forestry industries such as Chile, large amounts of lignocellulosic residues are generated from wood processing and agricultural activities. These materials constitute an abundant renewable resource that can be converted into functional carbon materials and subsequently used in catalytic applications. Among the platform molecules derived from lignocellulosic biomass, furfural (FUR) has attracted considerable attention due to its versatility as a precursor for a variety of value-added chemicals used in fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
In this work, an integrated biomass valorization approach was developed involving the synthesis of activated carbon supports from forestry residues and their application in catalytic upgrading reactions of furfural. Activated carbons were prepared from sawdust of Pinus spp. and Eucalyptus globulus through hydrothermal treatment in the temperature range of 130–200 °C for 2 h, followed by chemical activation using H₃PO₄. The resulting materials exhibited high porosity with specific surface areas up to 865 m² g⁻¹.
Catalysts containing 1 wt% Rh were prepared by impregnation of RhCl₃·H₂O onto the biomass-derived activated carbons.
The solids were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS (SEM-EDS), and temperature-programmed oxidation and reduction (TPO-TPR).
Catalytic performance was evaluated in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of furfural at 200 °C and 30 bar H₂ using toluene as solvent in a batch reactor. Product analysis was carried out by GC-FID. The Rh/AC catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity, achieving furfural conversions up to 90% with selectivities close to 70% toward furfuryl alcohol, together with minor formation of 2-methylfuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. The results indicate that the high surface area of biomass-derived activated carbons promotes an efficient dispersion of rhodium species, which plays a key role in the catalytic performance.
These findings demonstrate the potential of forestry biomass residues as sustainable precursors for advanced catalytic supports and their relevance for the catalytic upgrading of biomass-derived platform molecules.