Reactivity and kinetic studies of benzofuran hydrodeoxygenation over a Ni2P-O/MCM-41 catalyst

A nickel phosphide hydrodeoxygenation catalyst (Ni2P-O/MCM-41) was prepared using a new synthetic method. The as-prepared catalyst was evaluated in the hydrodeoxygenation of benzofuran, and the effects of reaction temperature, pressure, and the H2/liquid ratio were investigated. A pseudo first-order model was employed to describe the reaction kinetics of benzofuran hydrodeoxygenation over the Ni2P-O/MCM-41 catalyst. The reaction rate constants (k1–k5) at different temperatures were determined according to this model. At 533 K, the conversion of 2-ethylphenol in to ethylbenzene began to increase dramatically, and the yield of O-free product, ethylcyclohexane, started to increase rapidly. At 573 K, 3.0 MPa, and a H2/liquid ratio of 500 (V/V), the conversion of benzofuran over Ni2P-O/MCM-41 reached 93%, and the combined yield of O-free products was 91%. Contact time analysis indicated that demethylation was not favored over the Ni2P-O/MCM-41 catalyst.