Direct conversion of cellulose into acetol on bimetallic Ni-SnO x /Al2O3 catalysts.

Highlights: [•] High acetol yields from cellulose, and also from glucose and fructose were obtained. [•] The mechanism of cellulose conversion to acetol on bimetallic Ni-SnO x /Al2O3 catalysts was studied. [•] SnO x facilitated the isomerizaiton of glucose to fructose and its subsequent C C bond cleavage. [•] The hydrogenation activity of the Ni-SnO x /Al2O3 catalysts depends on the Sn/Ni ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]