Producing (alkyl-)cyclohexane diols using lignin derived phenols over Nb2O5 and Ni/MCM-41

(Alkyl-)cyclohexane diols are of high value as industrial reagents and resources, but current producing methods are still unsustainable. Herein, a new method of producing (alkyl-)cyclohexane diols using lignin derived phenols with yield as high as 91.2 % by selective hydrogenolysis is firstly achieved over Nb 2 O 5 and Ni/MCM-41. The hydrogenolysis is completed by designing two-step reactions compositing of selective crack of C(sp 3 )-O bond and selective hydrogenation of benzene ring of lignin derived phenols to achieve a high selectivity. Nb 2 O 5 demonstrates superior activity and long-life time in C(sp 3 )-O bond cleavage compared to commercial solid acids. The robust catalytic performance was thoroughly analyzed through detailed characterization and attributed to the abundant oxygen vacancies produced, which lead more strong L acids and adsorb the methoxy group in lignin derived phenols and at the same time interact with the acid sites to facilitate the cleavage of the C(sp 3 )-O bond. The consequent selective hydrogenation of benzene ring is completed by Ni/MCM-41 easily. More lignin derived phenols are explored in this reaction with (alkyl-)cyclohexane diols universally synthesized. This work provides a new application of lignin derived phenols to synthesize value-added chemicals and makes contribution to sustainable development by biorefineries.