Guaiacol is widely produced from lignin pyrolysis and liquefaction. The selective hydrogenolysis (demethoxylation) and hydrogenation of guaiacol are catalyzed by 1 wt% Pd loaded on high-surface-area ceria (Pd/CeO2) under mild conditions (100 °C and ambient pressure). Low pressures preferred the pathway of demethoxylation followed by hydrogenation, which is needed for high selectivity to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone as nylon precursors. The studies showed that water was a more effective solvent compared to organic solvents in the catalysis. The isotope study showed that deuterium in D2O solvent could incorporate in the products and the hydrogen atoms between DO and H2 could exchange actively with the presence of the catalyst. Therefore, water could participate in the reaction and thus promote the reaction. Also, since the products from lignin pyrolysis and liquefaction usually contain water, the utilization of water as the solvent is more economically feasible and environmentally friendly.

Mechanism study of production of cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone from lignin-derived guaiacol catalyzed by palladium on high-surface-area ceria at mild conditions

256th National Meeting (2018)

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