Hydrogenation of Guaiacol on Nanoscale Supported Ruthenium Catalysts: Influence of Support Particle Size and the Presence of Bio-oil Oxygenates.

Mesoporous nanospherical resorcinol-formaldehyde polymers NSMR-1 and NSMR-2 are synthesized. They are characterized by an average material particle size of 289 and 156 nm, respectively. Hybrid catalysts NSMR-Ru-1 and NSMR-Ru-2 were fabricated, which are Ru nanoparticles included in the structure of polymer supports NSMR-1 and NSMR-2. The catalysts were tested in the guaiacol hydrogenation at a temperature of 200°C and a hydrogen pressure of 5.0 MPa in an aqueous medium. It was found that the NSMR-Ru-2 catalyst, which is characterized by a smaller support particle size, exhibits a higher activity compared to the NSMR-Ru-1 catalyst. Experiments were carried out on the hydrogenation of guaiacol in a mixture with methanol, acetic acid, and furfural over the NSMR-Ru-2 catalyst. The influence of oxygenates on the conversion of guaiacol and the selectivity for its hydrogenation products was displayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]