Recent catalytic innovations in furfural transformation

To address the problem of non-renewable resources and energy shortages, converting biomass, the only renewable carbon resource on Earth, into various fine chemicals holds significant value. Furfural stands out as one of the most promising platform compounds derived from lignocellulosic biomass. Due to its highly functional molecular structure, furfural can be selectively converted into various fuels and high-value compounds. This review discusses recent developments in furfural production and its conversion into related chemicals, such as furfuryl alcohol, γ-valerolactone, pentanediols, and nitrogen-containing compounds. It provides an in-depth understanding of the catalysts, systems, and mechanisms used in the selective transformation of furfural. The review also explores primary pathways and catalytic mechanisms, with a focus on advances in heterogeneous catalytic systems. Furthermore, it outlines future research directions and offers insights into potential applications in this field. This review presents several research trends, aiming to provide innovative ideas for further exploration of furfural downstream products in a greener, more efficient, and cost-effective manner.