Selective production of cyclohexanol and methanol from guaiacol over Ru catalyst combined with MgO

Selective demethoxylation from aqueous guaiacol proceeded over Ru catalysts at relatively lower temperatures (<= 433 K). Addition of MgO to the reaction media suppressed the unselective C-O dissociation. Cyclohexanol and methanol were obtained in high yield (>80%). A reaction route is proposed where partially hydrogenated guaiacol is decomposed into methanol and phenol, which is further hydrogenated to cyclohexanol.