Amorphous Co-Mo-B catalyst with high activity for the hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oil

► Co-Mo-B amorphous catalyst was prepared and successfully applied to the HDO of bio-oil for the first time. ► The conversion of phenol, benzaldehyde, acetophenone and their mixture could be high up to 100% with a total deoxygenation rate of 100%, respectively. ► The HDO of phenol, benzaldehyde, acetophenone and their mixture on Co-Mo-B amorphous catalyst.