Gas phase hydrodeoxygenation of anisole and guaiacol to aromatics with a high selectivity over Ni-Mo/SiO2

A very active Ni-Mo bimetallic catalyst supported on SiO2 was prepared for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction of anisole and guaiacol under a H2 partial pressure of 83 kPa. Generally, transition metal and their oxides were thought to have less HDO activity than others, such as sulfides, carbides, phosphides. However, this work achieved a novel deoxygenation result, where a high conversion (98.7%) at 673-693 °C and atmospheric pressure for the model compounds and high selectivity (> 96%) to aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX) were obtained. Furthermore, the methyl transfer reaction is greatly promoted by abundant acid sites of the catalyst, leading to a low carbon-loss. The present work provides a promising way and new insight for an economic and efficient HDO process for the lignin-derived thermal degradation products.