Abstract
The hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of m-cresol is investigated as a model for the HDO of phenolic compounds from lignin pyrolysis. Pt catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 and SiO2 are effective for the conversion of m-cresol to toluene and methylcyclohexane at 533 K and 0.5 atm H2. Experiments using Pt/γ-Al2O3 show that the reaction proceeds by a combination of Pt-catalyzed hydrogenation and acid-catalyzed dehydration reactions. Dehydration of a partially hydrogenated oxygenate intermediate is most likely the dominant reaction pathway to toluene. The acidity of the γ-Al2O3 support was modified by base (K2CO3) and acid (NH4F) treatments, and increasing the number and strength of acid sites was found to increase the rate of HDO. Pt/SiO2 was more active for m-cresol HDO than Pt/Al2O3. The reaction rate on Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/SiO2 decreased after 5 h on stream, but Pt/Al2O3 regained initial reactivity after reductive treatment in H2.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
