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Efficient low‐temperature hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of lignin derivatives to produce biofuels and high value‐added chemicals is still of challenge. Here, we have constructed a high active and stable 0.2 wt.% Pd/MS‐HZSM‐5(30) catalyst, and 94.7 % yield of 2‐methoxy‐4‐methylphenol (MMP) can be achieved in HDO of vanillin (VAN, a typical platform molecule of lignin derivatives) under milder reaction conditions (60 °C, 5 h, molar ratio of VAN/Pd=1200, water phase), outperforming the most works reported recently. Detailed experimental and mechanistic studies demonstrated that the superior catalytic performance was due to the rapid hydrogenolysis of generated intermediate (vanillyl alcohol, VAL) to MMP proceeded in an interfacial microenvironmental created by Pd NPs and acidic sites in Pd/MS‐HZSM‐5(30). These new insights will provide potential guidance for the efficient low‐temperature production of biofuels and valuable chemicals from lignin derivatives or raw lignin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient production of high value-added chemicals and biofuels via low-temperature chemoselective HDO of lignin derivatives in water is still a challenge. Here, we construct a low-cost, active and stable Pd/PCE catalyst using phosphoric acid-modified commercial Celite (PCE) as the support, and this catalyst exhibits excellent activity in low-temperature HDO of vanillin as well as other lignin derivatives in water. The superior catalytic performance is due to the presence of P species on the surface of Pd/PCE, accelerating the selective conversion of the intermediate into the final product. Detailed experimental and mechanistic studies reveal that the rapid conversion of the intermediate to the final product proceeds via a free-radical process in an interfacial microenvironment created by intimate interacting between the P species and Pd NPs. The insights of this work provide a new low-cost catalytic system for efficient production of valuable chemicals and future biofuels from lignin derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is highly desirable but of challenge to develop an efficient process for lactic acid (LaA) production from xylose performed in water. Herein, a novel catalyst prepared via a facile solvent-free coordination route is developed to efficiently produce LaA from xylose in water. The structural properties of the prepared catalyst and the reaction conditions are systematically investigated. The production rate of LaA at 190 °C in water is up to 1.8 h−1, outperforming the most recent reports (below 1.1 h−1). Detailed experimental and characteristic studies reveal that the presence of Lewis acidic sites and basic sites in the catalyst structure can not only lower the energy barrier of xylose conversion but also boost the efficient conversion of the active reaction intermediates into LaA. The findings of this work will provide a new approach for the efficient production of LaA from carbohydrates. [Display omitted] • Zirconium-carbon coordination catalysts are prepared via a solvent-free method. • Zr-BC shows excellent activity in the conversion of xylose to LaA. • Production of LaA proceeds over both Lewis acidic sites and base sites on Zr-BC. • The substrate for LaA production can be extended to other carbohydrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]