Brønsted acid-enhanced CoMoS catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation reactions

Abstract

Transformation of lignin-derived phenolics to aromatics is a long-term challenge. Here, we report a Brønsted acid (BA)-enhanced activity of hydrodeoxygenation of p-cresol over a CoMoS catalyst. The reaction rate of the CoMoS/NbOPO₄ composite reaches 3 times that of CoMoS/SiO₂-4. Moreover, the promotion effect is extended to other BAs such as solid heteropolyacids. Such an improved activity is strongly related to the BA sites which help weaken C_ar–O bonds by protonation of the OH group. We believe this work can provide new guidance for the design of industrialized CoMoS catalysts for HDO reactions.