Exploring the catalytic conversion of aromatic model compounds of coal pyrolysis over Ca(OH)2

The distribution of pyrolysis products from aromatic model compounds in coal catalyzed by Ca(OH)₂ was investigated at the molecular level. The composition and relative abundance of the pyrolysis products from coal were analyzed using Py-GC/MS. The rapid pyrolysis products of coal at 600 °C consisted of phenols (15.94 %), non-phenolic oxygenated compounds (25.31 %), aliphatics (49.03 %), aromatic compounds (21.74 %), and other compounds (0.03 %). Six representative aromatic model compounds (2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, p-cresol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, o-cresol, guaiacol, and catechol) were selected. The pyrolysis process of model compounds was primarily the cleavage of C-O and C-C bonds, which resulted in the formation of methoxy and methyl radicals. The results revealed that Ca(OH)₂ undergoes acid-base reactions with -OH, thereby increasing the stability of the model compounds. Notably, the impact of Ca(OH)₂ on the composition and distribution of pyrolysis products was significantly more pronounced in aromatic compounds containing both -OCH₃ and -OH compared to those containing solely -OH. The formation pathways of pyrolysis products involving guaiacol and Ca(OH)₂ were elucidated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, demonstrating that Ca(OH)₂ could facilitate more free radicals release and the conversion of model compounds. This study contributes to the understanding of the transformation of aromatic compounds during coal pyrolysis at the molecular level.