LAUSR

Efficient catalytic system for the conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into N-containing compounds over low cost non-noble metal catalysts is preferable, but it is challengeable to reach high conversion and selectivity under mild conditions. Herein, we reported a Al 2 O 3 -supported carbon-doped Ni catalyst via the direct pyrolysis-reduction of a mixture of Ni 3 (BTC) 2 ·12H 2 O and Al 2 O 3 , generating stable Ni 0 species due to the presence of carbon residue. A high yield of 96% was observed in the reductive amination of HMF into 5-hydroxymethyl furfurylamine (HMFA) with ammonia and hydrogen at ambient temperature. The catalyst was recyclable and extendable to the ambient-temperature synthesis of HMF-based secondary/tertiary amines and other biomass-derived amines from the carbonyl compounds. The significant performance is attributable to the synergistic effect of Ni 0 species and acidic property of the support Al 2 O 3 , which promoted the selective ammonolysis of the imine intermediate while inhibited the potential side reaction of over-hydrogenation.