Lignin refining continues to face major challenges in achieving selective depolymerization and breaking resistant C–C bonds. In this work, the authors design a robust atomically dispersed Cu/Ni-SA@HNC catalyst that enables highly selective hydrogenolysis of lignin and model compounds through an unconventional pathway involving preferential Cα–Cβ bond cleavage in β-O-4 linkages.
- Xin Zhao
- Changzhi Li
- Tao Zhang
