LAUSR

Abstract Lignin is an important and renewable resource, which could afford aromatics, cycloalkanes and other value-added fine chemicals. Selective hydrogenolysis of lignin dimers is key strategy for lignin valorization, but most studies reported the conversion of lignin or lignin dimers into aromatics. Further upgrading is needed for the generation of cycloalkanes, which are significant components in aviation fuels. Seldom studies reported the one-pot conversion of cycloalkanes or other fine chemicals, catalyzed over non-previous metal catalysts. Herein, a one-step strategy for the hydrogenolysis of lignin dimers into cycloalkanes/cycloalcohols over metal-organic framework derived Ni@C and bimetallic NiLa@C catalysts. Different C–O bonds in lignin dimers cleavaged and further hydrogenation happened followingly to afford two kinds of useful fine chemicals (cycloalkanes and cyclohexanol) in one-pot. AspenPlus simulation study exhibited that cycloalkanes and cyclohexanol could be easily separated with satisfactory purity at atmospheric pressure. This work provides a novel and economical alternative for the selective conversion of lignin dimers into different kinds of value-added fine chemicals.