Preparation of metal-organic framework-derived bifunctional catalysts for efficient one-pot synthesis of bio-jet fuel

The one-pot conversion of biomass derivatives into bio-jet fuels through coupled aldol condensation and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is an extremely challenging process. In this study, a series of metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived Ni₂P-5@C-X bifunctional catalysts were prepared via the integration of phosphorization with three types of modified N-incorporation strategies, in-situ urea doping, 2-aminoterephthalic acid ligand incorporation, and ethylenediamine grafting. These catalysts were evaluated for the one-pot aldol condensation-HDO of furfural and acetone toward achieving efficient bio-jet fuel synthesis, with the ethylenediamine-grafted Ni₂P-5@C-E catalyst exhibiting the best performance and affording a target alkanes yield as high as 86 %. Moreover, Ni₂P-5@C-E maintained robust catalytic activity even after five reaction cycles, attributed to the effects of ethylenediamine grafting and Ni₂P introduction. Specifically, ethylenediamine provides basic sites that promote aldol condensation, and the electron transfer from Ni to P and the P-OH groups in the Ni₂P phase provide additional Lewis acid and Brønsted acid sites. Ultimately, the collective effect of these active sites promotes both carbon chain extension and deep HDO concurrently. Thus, this study presents a novel strategy for designing highly efficient MOF-derived bifunctional catalysts for the of bio-jet fuel synthesis.