Selective preparation of bio‐based high‐value chemical of cresol with Cu‐MOF catalyst

BACKGROUND The development of efficient synthetic pathways for bio‐based chemicals is beneficial to sustainable development of the chemical industry. However, directional production of phenolic chemicals using lignocellulose remains a challenging issue, because the reaction paths as well as intermediates in the catalytic transformation of lignocellulose are often complicated. RESULTS Bio‐based cresol can be selectively prepared from lignocellulose biomass. This steerable transformation has been achieved by lignocellulose catalytic pyrolysis to aromatic intermediates over a magnetic oxide‐modified zeolite catalyst (Fe 3 O 4 @HZSM‐5) and intermediate hydroxylation to cresol over a metal–organic framework catalyst (Cu‐MOF). Based on the analysis of intermediates and on catalyst characterization, the corresponding reaction pathways are put forward. Using the Cu‐MOF catalyst, the highest selectivity of cresol (81.5%) and the highest conversion (76.8%) were gained at 40 °C in 4 h. CONCLUSIONS The work presented proves that an important phenolic chemical (cresol) can be selectively prepared from lignocellulose raw materials. The Cu‐MOF catalyst shows superior performance and good reusability in the bio‐cresol synthesis. Reactive oxygen species take a prominent role in the cresol synthesis.