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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

HKUST-1 as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Vanillin
Published on: July 23, 2016
Cobalt single-atom and nano catalysts for efficient transfer hydrodeoxygenation of vanillin with formic acid
Jiayi Li1, Guangling Shi1, Zisheng Xu1
1College of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
This study presents a Co catalyst with coexisting single-atoms and nanoparticles on N-doped carbon (Co1+Con/N-C). Synthesized via a sacrificial MgO-template method, it achieves 100% vanillin conversion and >99% selectivity to 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol at 160°C using formic acid, outperforming single-component catalysts. Kinetic studies reveal a water-mediated dual hydrogen transfer pathway, lowering the apparent activation energy to 61.7 kJ/mol. Isotopic studies suggest a water-mediated mechanism, wherein water molecules facilitate proton transfer and hydrogen spillover through a hydrogen-bonding network. This process synergizes with formic acid dehydrogenation to enable a dual hydrogen transfer pathway, involving protonation of the aldehyde group and hydride (H⁻) attack. The catalyst maintains 95% conversion over ten cycles, demonstrating high stability for biomass upgrading.
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