Magnetically Induced Catalytic Reduction of Biomass-Derived Oxygenated Compounds in Water

The development of energetically efficient processes for the aqueous reduction of biomass-derived compounds into chemicals is key for the optimal transformation of biomass. Herein we report an early example of the reduction of biomass-derived oxygenated compounds in water by magnetically induced catalysis. Non-coated and carbon-coated core-shell FeCo@Ni magnetic nanoparticles were used as the heating agent and the catalyst simultaneously. In this way it was possible to control the product distribution by adjusting the field amplitude applied during the magnetic catalysis, opening a precedent for this type of catalysis. Finally, the encapsulation of the magnetic nanoparticles in carbon (FeCo@Ni@C) strongly improved the stability of the magnetic catalyst in solution, making its reuse possible up to at least eight times in dioxane and four times in water.