Catalytic hydroconversion of a cotton stalk-derived soluble portion over Ni/sepiolite

Catalytic hydroconversion (CHC) of a lignin-derived soluble portion to value-added chemicals is of great significance. Ni/sepiolite was successfully prepared via a impregnation method and used for the CHC of a cotton stalk-derived soluble portion (CSDSP). Cyclanes and cyclohexanols are the main products with total relative content of 64.7% from the CHC of CSDSP over Ni/sepiolite. To better understand the reaction mechanism, the CHC of oxydibenzene (ODB), benzyloxybenzene (BOB), and guaiacol over Ni/sepiolite were investigated. They were completely converted at 240 degrees C under 4 MPa of initial hydrogen pressure. According to the resulting products, H...H and H+ are the main active hydrogen species in the CHC and H+ transfer induces the cleavage of -CH2-O-bond in BOB followed by hydrogenating benzene ring (BR), while the CHC of ODB and guaiacol proceeds via the hydrogenation of BR and subsequent cleavage of -CH2-O-bond.