Production of high carbon number hydrocarbon fuels from a lignin-derived α-O-4 phenolic dimer, benzyl phenyl ether, via isomerization of ether to alcohols on high-surface-area silica-alumina aerogel catalysts

- Two-step catalysis of lignin dimer produced high carbon number cyclic hydrocarbons.
- Isomerization of ether to alcohol without cracking was suggested.
- Brönsted acids activated the catalytic isomerization of an α-O-4 compound.
- NH3-TPD, pyridine-FT-IR, and NMR elucidated the active sites.