Defect-engineered MOF-808 with highly exposed Zr sites as highly efficient catalysts for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural

A new defect engineering route was applied to prepare defective MOF-808 (Dx-MOF-808) by modulating with benzoic acid (HBC) for liquid catalytic transfer hydrogenation of biomass-derived furfural (FFR) to furfuryl alcohol (FFA) using 2-propanol as the hydrogen donor. The FFA yields over D40-MOF-808 with more ligand defects and more exposed Zr sites was noticeably higher than that of D0-MOF-808 at mild temperatures.