Nickel-Supported Glucose-Derived Hydrophilic-Activated Carbon for Diphenyl Ether Hydrolysis: Reaction Pathways and Product Distribution

The hydrolysis of the C–O bonds in lignin-derived compounds represents a significant pathway for the synthesis of oxygen-containing chemicals. The development of a support with hydrophilic properties represents a crucial step in this reaction. Glucose is a particularly suitable precursor for the preparation of hydrophilic-activated carbon due to its abundance of oxygen functional groups. In this study, Ni/HACs, prepared by using glucose, were employed. The high specific surface area of Ni/HAC-6–7 is conducive to the dispersion of Ni, resulting in the smallest metal particle size and the highest Ni0 concentration. Additionally, its favorable hydrophilicity facilitates the entry of water molecules, which are essential for the reaction, into the reactive sites. Under mild conditions (180 °C and 1 MPa of H2), complete conversion of diphenyl ether was observed, along with a cyclohexanol selectivity of 63.7%. This study provides a strategy for the development of a lignin-directed hydrolysis process.