Abstract: 1,2-pentanediol (1,2-PeD) and 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PeD) are high-value fine chemicals with a wide range of uses. It is a green process with well application prospects and research value for the preparation of 1,2-PeD and 1,5-PeD from furfural and its derivatives. Here, the recent advances of furfural and its derivatives furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol in the synthesis of 1,2-PeD and 1,5-PeD were reviewed systematically. We focused on the summary of the catalysts used in the catalytic hydrogenation of furfural, furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol to prepare 1,2-PeD and 1,5-PeD. The design and application of the catalysts were elaborated from many aspects, including the catalyst type, the reaction mechanism with assist acid/base in different catalytic systems, the synergistic catalysis between active metals and doped transition metal oxides, the influence of acidity of doped transition metal oxides in the catalyst, the structure-activity relationships and so on. On this basis, the development trend of this research direction is prospected. It provides the theoretical guidance and useful reference for developing a new, efficient and stable catalyst system for the hydrogenation of furfural and its derivatives.