Mo-based catalyst for chemical looping deoxygenation of phenolic compounds to aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract A novel MoO3-SiO2 material was prepared by stepwise precipitation and was used as catalyst and oxygen-carrier in the chemical looping deoxygenation of lignin-derived phenolic compounds. In this recycle, hydrocracking reaction of phenolic compounds take place first, obtaining the aromatic hydrocarbons and higher-valence molybdenum oxide. Subsequent, the higher-valence molybdenum oxide was reduced by H2, yielding the lower-valence molybdenum oxide and H2O, thereby completing a redox cycle. High yield of aromatic hydrocarbons (71.5%) was obtained at 340 °C when guaiacol was used as model compound in the chemical looping deoxygenation. Moreover, large proportion of toluene was observed in products because that the strong acidity of the MoO3-SiO2 catalyst promotes the transmethylation. This work provides a new process for production of aromatic hydrocarbon from lignin via phenolic compounds.