Electrocatalytic Reduction of Biomass‐Derived Furfural: Reaction Mechanisms, Pathway Control, and Catalyst Design

Furfural serves as a critical bridge connecting lignocellulosic feedstocks with the biorefinery industry. Its catalytic upgrading, particularly hydrogenation and reduction, constitutes a core pathway for synthesizing diverse chemicals and biofuels. In recent years, the electrochemical reduction of furfural has gained significant interest, driven by the large‐scale development of renewable electricity and its mild reaction conditions. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in the electrocatalytic reduction of furfural into value‐added chemical products (such as furfuryl alcohol, 2‐methylfuran, and hydrofuroin). It places a strong emphasis on the comprehensive elucidation of reaction mechanisms and advanced strategies for modulating reaction pathways through catalyst design, thereby establishing the groundwork for future electrocatalyst development. Furthermore, it provides a detailed discussion of key experimental characterization techniques and theoretical computational methods employed in mechanistic and active site studies, while outlining the challenges and future directions in this field.