Catalytic system based on nickel(II) acetate and hypophosphorous acid for the selective hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol

The title catalytic system exhibited high activity in the hydrogenation–hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol (a low-molecular-weight product of lignin degradation). The conversion of guaiacol reached 97%, and the selectivity for cyclohexane was as high as 94%. Nickel phosphide phases were obtained in the reaction medium, and their presence determined the high activity of the catalytic system in the hydroconversion of guaiacol.