Bimetallic Ni-Co catalyst for improving selectivity in transfer hydrogenation of phenolic compounds.

• Ni/Al 2 O 3 and Ni-Co/Al 2 O 3 showed high activity in transfer hydrogenation of phenolics. • Ni/Al 2 O 3 primarily promotes hydrodearomatization of phenolic compounds. • The addition of Co to Ni facilitates hydrodeoxygenation of anisole and guaicol. The study investigated the transfer hydrogenation of guaiacol, anisole, phenol, and positional isomers of dimethoxybenezene using 2-PrOH as the H-donor over Ni, Co, and Ni-Co catalysts. The catalysts, which contained 5 wt% metal, were prepared by the deposition-precipitation method. The results showed that the catalysts had developed a pore structure and fine metal particles. The Ni and Ni-Co catalysts demonstrated exceptional activity in the transfer hydrogenation of phenolic compounds with a substrate to metal molar ratio of 100 to 1. Furthermore, the addition of Co to Ni significantly impacted the selectivity of transfer hydrogenation promoting hydrodeoxygenation of anisole and guaiacol. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]