Directed Synthesis of Bio-based Cresol Using Magnetic NiFe2O4@Biochar Catalyst

doi:10.1007/s40242-026-5274-2

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 897-906.doi: 10.1007/s40242-026-5274-2

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Directed Synthesis of Bio-based Cresol Using Magnetic NiFe₂O₄@Biochar Catalyst

HUANG Nan¹, LUO Yuehui², ZHU Can¹, TANG Wanyun¹, TAO Shiju¹, YANG Huan¹, LIU Xin¹, LI Quanxin¹

1. Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China;
2. College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Jining University, Qufu, 273155, P. R. China

Received:2025-11-10 Accepted:2025-12-25 Published:2026-06-02
Contact: LI Quanxin,E-mail:liqx@ustc.edu.cn E-mail:liqx@ustc.edu.cn
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. U21A20288, 21978280).

Abstract

Abstract: Developing green and efficient methods to acquire lignocellulose-based chemicals with high added value is beneficial for facilitating green chemistry and sustainable development. The goal of this study is to demonstrate that bio-based cresol, a noteworthy high-value chemical, is able to be directionally prepared from lignocellulosic biomass. This new controllable transformation was materialized by uniting catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulose to toluene intermediate and catalytic hydroxylation of toluene intermediate to bio-based cresol. This work also developed a novel highly active magnetic catalyst [NiFe₂O₄@Biochar(HTR)], which was synthesized via hydrothermal-reduction (HTR) method using ethylene glycol reductant. The NiFe₂O₄@Biochar(HTR) catalyst exhibited high cresol selectivity (80.2%) and high cresol yield (50.7%) in the synthesis process of cresol. It was found that introducing biochar support into Ni-Fe composite metal oxide catalyst enhanced hydroxyl radical formation and bio-based cresol synthesis. Based on catalyst characterizations and hydroxyl radical analysis, presumable reaction mechanism for bio-based cresol synthesis was proposed.

Key words: Lignocellulosic biomass, Bio-based cresol, Selective hydroxylation, Aromatic intermediate, NiFe₂O₄@Biochar(HTR) catalyst

HUANG Nan, LUO Yuehui, ZHU Can, TANG Wanyun, TAO Shiju, YANG Huan, LIU Xin, LI Quanxin. Directed Synthesis of Bio-based Cresol Using Magnetic NiFe₂O₄@Biochar Catalyst[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(3): 897-906.

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Directed Synthesis of Bio-based Cresol Using Magnetic NiFe₂O₄@Biochar Catalyst

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