C–C bond coupling differences between β-O-4 and 4-O-5 ether bonds over hydrophobic mesoporous Ru/MY-O catalysts: from lignin model compounds to polycyclic alkanes

MY zeolites with mesopores were prepared by hydrothermal method using functionalized SiO2 (F-SiO2) as a silica source, and hydrophobic bifunctional Ru/MY-O catalysts were obtained by deposition precipitation method and silylation treatment. This work aims at obtaining polycyclic alkane (PCA) based high-density hydrocarbon fuels (HDHFs). We focused on the catalytic hydroconversion (CHC) of 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol (PP-ol) and oxydibenzene (ODB), two typical lignin-related model compounds (LRMCs), over Ru/MY-O. The effects of different reaction conditions and catalysts on the product distribution in PP-ol and ODB were investigated. The partial hydrogenation of ODB was found to be a necessary step before achieving C-O ether bond cleavage and C-C bond coupling. The balance of metal/acidic sites is critical for maximizing PCA yields. Changes in the metal/acid ratio had a greater effect on PCA yield in PP-ol than in ODB. Poor stability of cycloalkyl cations and partial hydrogenation of ODB hinder the generation of C-C coupling products. The incorporation of mesopores and hydrophobic treatment were found to weaken the negative effects of C-C bond coupling products and water on the catalyst. The conversion of Ru3/MY-O was improved by nearly 10% compared to Ru3/Y in the fifth cycle reaction. This work provided a theoretical basis for the generation of HDHFs from lignin.