It is highly desirable but quite challenging to replace precious metals with cheaper elements in the catalytic selective hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes. Herein, we report the preparation of a series of Cu_xNi_3−xAlO_y mixed-metal oxides (x = 0.5, 1, 2) derived from Cu_xNi_3−xAl hydrotalcite to be used as catalysts for the promotion of the selective hydrogenation of furfural (FAL) to furfuryl alcohol (FOL). It was found that the catalyst with the Cu₂Ni₁AlO_y stoichiometry exhibited the best performance, with 98% FAL conversion and 99% selectivity toward FOL after 1.5 h at 120 °C and under a H₂ pressure of 1.6 MPa, and also good reusability. On the basis of the combined results from catalyst characterization studies using XRD, H₂-TPR, TEM, XPS, and in-situ FT-IR, it was concluded that the CuO_x species on the surface of the Cu_xNi_3−xAlO_y catalysts can be reduced in situ to metallic copper during reaction, and that this Cu⁰ species is likely the responsible for the adsorption and conversion of FAL. The addition of Ni to these mixed-metal oxides helps disperse the Cu phase and hence make it easier to reduce and activate. It may also be that NiO can promote H₂ dissociation to aid with the hydrogenation catalysis. Our work advances a new strategy for the design of simple, cheap, and efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of FAL to FOL.

在不饱和醛的催化选择性氢化中用更便宜的元素代替贵金属是非常可取的，但也非常具有挑战性。在此，我们报道了一系列源自 Cu _x Ni _3-x Al 水滑石的 Cu _x Ni _3-x AlO _y混合金属氧化物 (x = 0.5, 1, 2) 的制备，用作促进糠醛 (FAL) 选择性氢化成糠醇 (FOL)。结果表明，具有 Cu ₂ Ni ₁ AlO _y化学计量比的催化剂表现出最佳性能，在 120 °C 和 H ₂下 1.5 小时后 FAL 转化率为 98%，对 FOL 的选择性为 99%。耐压1.6MPa，重复使用性好。基于使用 XRD、H ₂ -TPR、TEM、XPS 和原位 FT-IR 的催化剂表征研究的综合结果，得出结论，Cu _x Ni _3-x表面上的CuO _x物种AlO _y催化剂可以在反应过程中原位还原为金属铜，并且这种 Cu ⁰物种可能是 FAL 吸附和转化的原因。在这些混合金属氧化物中添加 Ni 有助于分散 Cu 相，从而使其更容易还原和活化。也可能是 NiO 可以促进 H ₂解离以帮助氢化催化。我们的工作为设计用于将 FAL 加氢为 FOL 的简单、廉价和高效催化剂提出了一种新策略。