Valorization of furfural using ruthenium (II) complexes containing phosphorus-nitrogen ligands under homogeneous transfer hydrogen condition

•Active ruthenium homogeneous catalyst in furfural hydrogenation.•Hydrogenation of furfural using formic acid as hydrogen source.•Selective hydrogenation of furfural by ruthenium complexes under homogeneous condition.•Hydrogenation of furfural using 2-propanol as hydrogen source.