One-Pot Defunctionalization of Lignin-Derived Compounds by Dual-Functional Pd50Ag50/Fe3O4/N-rGO Catalyst

Generation of hydrogen from renewable sources and its safe utilization for efficient one-pot upgrading of renewable biofuels are a challenge. Bimetallic PdAg catalyst supported on Fe3O4/nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) were synthesized for hydrogen generation from formic acid with high TOF (497 h–1 at 50 °C), and the hydrogen was subsequently utilized in situ for selective defunctionalization of lignin-derived chemicals with preserved aromatic nature at ambient pressure. Hydrodeoxygenation of aromatic aldehydes and ketones gave excellent yields (99% at 130 °C) with no use of additives. Furthermore, hydrogenolysis of β-O-4 and α-O-4 C–O model compounds produced only two products with high selectivity at 120 °C, which is an efficient and versatile one-pot platform for valorization of lignin biomass.