Lignin is an important and renewable resource, which could afford aromatics, cycloalkanes and other value-added fine chemicals. Selective hydrogenolysis of lignin dimers is key strategy for lignin valorization, but most studies reported the conversion of lignin or lignin dimers into aromatics. Further upgrading is needed for the generation of cycloalkanes, which are significant components in aviation fuels. Seldom studies reported the one-pot conversion of cycloalkanes or other fine chemicals, catalyzed over non-previous metal catalysts. Herein, a one-step strategy for the hydrogenolysis of lignin dimers into cycloalkanes/cycloalcohols over metal-organic framework derived Ni@C and bimetallic NiLa@C catalysts. Different C–O bonds in lignin dimers cleavaged and further hydrogenation happened followingly to afford two kinds of useful fine chemicals (cycloalkanes and cyclohexanol) in one-pot. AspenPlus simulation study exhibited that cycloalkanes and cyclohexanol could be easily separated with satisfactory purity at atmospheric pressure. This work provides a novel and economical alternative for the selective conversion of lignin dimers into different kinds of value-added fine chemicals.

木质素是一种重要的可再生资源，可以生产芳烃、环烷烃和其他高附加值的精细化学品。木质素二聚体的选择性氢解是木质素价值化的关键策略，但大多数研究报道了木质素或木质素二聚体转化为芳烃。环烷烃的生产需要进一步升级，环烷烃是航空燃料中的重要组成部分。很少有研究报道环烷烃或其他精细化学品在非以前的金属催化剂上催化的一锅法转化。在此，本文提出了一种在金属有机骨架衍生的 Ni@C 和双金属 NiLa@C 催化剂上将木质素二聚体氢解为环烷烃/环醇的一步策略。木质素二聚体中不同的 C-O 键断裂，随后发生进一步氢化，在一锅中提供两种有用的精细化学品（环烷烃和环己醇）。AspenPlus 模拟研究表明，环烷烃和环己醇可以在大气压下轻松分离，纯度令人满意。这项工作为木质素二聚体选择性转化为不同种类的高附加值精细化学品提供了一种新颖且经济的替代方案。