Reductive amination of furfural to furfurylamine: Advances in catalyst design and mechanistic insights

Reductive amination offers a versatile method for C–N bond formation of furfural, a key biomass platform molecule, into furfurylamine, which serves as a crucial intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, bio-polymers, and energetic material precursors due to its high reactivity. This review summarizes recent catalytic advancements in the field, underscoring the importance of systematic design for catalysis. A deeper understanding of reaction conditions, support effects, and active site structures, guided by mechanistic insights, has enabled these advancements. We present a systematic overview of catalytic strategies for the reductive amination reaction, covering noble- and non-noble-metal catalysts, single-atom catalysts, and photo-driven methodologies. The application of these strategies to bio-based compound synthesis is then showcased through selected examples. Finally, we outline future research directions and remaining challenges in this field. • Comprehensive mechanistic insights into the reductive amination of furfural to furfurylamine are provided. • Systematically benchmarks noble and non-noble catalysts for the reductive amination. • Details the effect of support properties, hydrogen/ammonia adsorption, and reaction conditions on the reductive amination.