Synthesis of high-energy–density jet fuel from lignin-derived phenols and norbornene catalyzed over acetic acid modified Pd/HY

A kind of high-energy–density jet fuel was synthesized from lignin-derived phenols and norbornene via a one-pot alkylation/hydrodeoxygenation reaction. First, HY exhibited good catalytic activity for the alkylation of guaiacol and norbornene, mainly attributed to its appropriate pore size and strong acid sites. Further, in the one-pot reaction, the bifunctional catalyst 1%Pd/HY (AA, 0.25) modified with 0.25 mol/L acetic acid (AA) demonstrated the best catalytic performance. The increased total acid density (0.153 mmol/g) and acid strength, along with the higher Pd 0 proportion and binding energy of 1%Pd/HY (AA, 0.25), were beneficial for both alkylation and hydrodeoxygenation. Substrate expansion indicated that 1%Pd/HY (0.25, AA) has good applicability to various lignin-derived phenols. Finally, a high-energy–density jet fuel was synthesized from simulated soft lignin oil and norbornene in the one-pot reaction. The fuel had good properties (0.958 g/mL, 39.94 MJ/L, freezing point lower than −80 ℃). This work provided a practical route for producing high-energy–density jet fuel from the co-conversion of lignin-derived phenols and petroleum-based norbornene.