Highly efficient and selective hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol to cyclohexanol over a rod-like CoNi-C catalyst

Selective hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol is a green and sustainable method to produce cyclohexanol. However, developing an economically efficient and highly selective non-precious metal catalyst for the HDO reaction remains a significant challenge. Here, we synthesized rod-like CoNi alloy catalysts via calcination a precursor of CoNi-BTC metal-organic framework (MOF). And a selectivity up to 94.9% can be achieved for cyclohexanol under mild reaction conditions. According to the analysis of characterization, the specific surface area and pore size had a dual impact on the catalyst activity calcinated at different temperatures. The synergistic effect of the CoNi alloy also led to an enhanced hydrogen adsorption capability of the catalyst, resulting in a significant enhancement in catalytic activity compared to the monometallic catalyst. This article provides a reference for the rational design of alloy MOF materials for catalyzing high-performance HDO of guaiacol.