Effect of support modifications for CoMo/γ-Al2O3 and CoMo/ASA catalysts in the hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol

CoMo catalysts supported on a commercial alumina (gamma-Al2O3) modified with Na (1,2 and 3 wt.%) and supported on amorphous aluminosilicates (ASA) with different Si/(Si + Al) ratios (0.15, 0.25 and 0.75) were prepared. Additionally, a CoMo catalyst supported on ASA modified with 3 wt.% Na was synthetized. These catalysts were evaluated in the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) as biooil model compound. The results show a decrease of catalytic activity with increasing amounts of Na added compared to an unmodified catalyst. This modification in the acid-base properties of the catalyst generates changes in selectivity such as the inhibition of methylated compounds formation, e.g., cresol and the increase of phenol production. For ASA-supported catalysts, a decrease in catalytic activity with the increase in the Si content took place, whereas the HDO degree was not significantly affected. Moreover, the ASA-supported catalysts led to a lower activity of the HDO of guaiacol compared to gamma-Al2O3-supported catalysts. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.