CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles embedded in carbon matrix (CuNi@C) were synthesized and applied in the selective conversion of biomass-derived furfural to cyclopentanone. The catalysts were prepared directly from thermolysis of Cu-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) impregnated with nickel nitrate. Compared with traditional precipitation method, relatively high surface area (91.6 m(2)/g) and nano sized (about 15 nm) metallic copper and nickel particles can be obtained when molar ratio of nickel to copper was 0.5. Furthermore, the porous carbon matrix can not only act as a supporter but prevent the accumulation of metal particles. By varying the molar ratio of nickel to copper, CuNi0.5@C shows best catalytic performance (99.3% conversion of furfural and 96.9% yield of cyclopentanone) at optimum conditions (130 degrees C, 5 h, 5 MPa) attributed to the above mentioned properties. In addition, the CuNi0.5@C can be reused four times with good activity and stability. Hence, current work presents a new and facile method to prepare CuNi bimetallic catalysts which has a brilliant performance in catalytic conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.