Decomposition of phenethyl phenyl ether to aromatics over CsxH3.0 − xPW12O40 (X = 2.0–3.0) heteropolyacid catalysts

Cesium-exchanged CsxH3.0 − xPW12O40 heteropolyacids were prepared with a variation of cesium content (X = 2.0–3.0) and were applied to the decomposition of phenethyl phenyl ether to aromatics. Phenethyl phenyl ether was used as a lignin model compound for representing β-O-4 linkage of lignin. Phenol, benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene were mainly produced by the decomposition of phenethyl phenyl ether. Conversion of phenethyl phenyl ether and total yield for main products increased with increasing surface acidity of the catalyst. Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 with the largest surface acidity showed the highest conversion of phenethyl phenyl ether and the highest total yield for main products.

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► Decomposition of phenethyl phenyl ether (PPE) to aromatics was conducted.
► CsxH3.0 − xPW12O40 (X = 2.0–3.0) catalysts were used for the reaction.
► Conversion of PPE increased with increasing surface acidity of the catalyst.
► Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 showed the best catalytic performance.