Figure 3: Proposed reaction pathway of the conversion of 4-methylphenol over the Ru/Nb2O5 catalyst.
From: Selective production of arenes via direct lignin upgrading over a niobium-based catalyst
In this work, toluene is generated through the Caromatic–OH bond cleavage for direct dehydroxylation of 4-methylphenol over the Ru/Nb2O5 catalyst and this direct conversion is distinct from the reported tandem reactions route27,32, where cyclohexene was formed initially, and then dehydrogenated to arenes via hydrogen transfer.
