Catalytic hydroconversion of the extraction residue from Naomaohu lignite over an active and separable magnetic solid superbase

A highly active magnetic solid superbase (MSSB) was prepared by impregnating Mg2Si onto γ-Al2O3-coated ferroferric oxide nanoparticles via one-pot synthesis method and successfully applied in the catalytic hydroconversion (CHC) of the extraction residue (ER) from Naomaohu lignite. Large amounts of chain alkanes and arenes were detected in the soluble portion (SP) from the non-catalytic hydroconversion of the ER, while oxygen-containing organic compounds are predominant in the SP from the CHC of the ER, indicating that MSSB catalyzes the cleavage of CO bridged bonds in the ER. Oxybis(methylene)dibenzene was used as the lignite-related model compound to evaluate the catalytic activity of MSSB. The results show that MSSB facilitates heterolytically splitting H2 to release H− and subsequent H− transfer, leading to the cleavage of CO bridged bonds.