@article{Li2026, 
author = {Jiang Li and Xiaojing Wang and Zhidong An and Tong Wan and Jiaxing Liu and Junjie Zhang and Zhenxing Li},
title = {Highly efficient transfer hydrogenation of furfural over Co catalysts at ultra-low loading},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {94908390},
keywords = {biomass, single-atom, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), catalytic transfer hydrogenation, turnover frequency (TOF)},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2026.94908390},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2026.94908390},
abstract = {An ultra-low loading (0.08 wt.%) cobalt single-atom catalyst, synthesized by the adsorption of trace amounts of cobalt salt onto a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) precursor, followed by pyrolysis under Ar at 800 °C, exhibits exceptional performance in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. Under optimized conditions (120 °C, 6 h), the catalyst achieved complete furfural conversion and a selectivity of 96.5% toward furfuryl alcohol. Remarkably, its turnover frequency (TOF) reached 1290.6 h−1, which is three to four orders of magnitude higher than that of previously reported single Co catalysts. The superior catalytic activity is attributed to the uniformly dispersed Co-N4 matrix and abundant weak and moderate acid sites. Furthermore, Co-ZIF-8-800 exhibited broad substrate scope via the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) mechanism. This work provides a promising strategy for designing low-cost and highly efficient non-noble metal catalysts for the conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules.}
}