Efficient valorization of lignin depolymerization products in the present of NixMg1−xO

Efficient conversion of lignin depolymerization products to more stable chemicals has attracted increasing attention during last few years. Here, we reported a novel and efficient method for lignin depolymerization products valorization on the simple and economic catalyst NixMg1−xO. In which, the unsaturated ingredients were converted to thermal and chemical stable products, resulting in the obvious decreasing of the unsaturated degree of the products and the repolymerization of the phenolic oligomer. The results showed that more than 98% of phenol, a model chemical of lignin depolymerization products, could be converted to cyclohexanol with 100% selectivity. Further investigation demonstrated that it was also efficient for the real lignin depolymerization products, where a significant decrease on the oxygen content and the average molecular weight were shown. Moreover, the NixMg1−xO catalyst was recyclable, and no significant loss of the catalytic activity was exhibited even after 5 runs.