Robust Heterogeneous Nickel Catalysts with Tailored Porosity for the Selective Hydrogenolysis of Aryl Ethers

SiC materials with tailored porosity and integrated Ni NPs (Ni@SiC) were synthesized via microphase separation of polycarbosilane-block-polyethylene followed by its pyrolysis. Changing the length of organic block allowed the synthesis of micro, meso and hierarchical Ni@SiC materials which were characterized by PXRD, TEM, TGA, and nitrogen physisorption. Selective hydrogenolysis of aryl ethers mimicking the most abundant linkages of lignin was achieved in water avoiding the possible hydrogenation of aromatic rings.