The catalytic conversion of lignin model compounds was performed using Ru/C catalysts and an autoclave reactor. The Ru/C catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method using highly porous homemade activated carbon and characterized by XRD, SEM, and specific surface area. The catalytic reactions were performed in a high pressure/temperature reactor at different temperatures and with different solvents. The results showed that the novel Ru/C catalysts prepared from carbon supports activated by the KOH agent showed higher catalytic activity than the commercial catalyst. Ethanol and 2-propanol were suitable solvents for the cleavage of the β–O–4 ether bond of 2-phenoxy-1-phenyl ethanol (~65–70% conversion) over a Ru/C-KOH-2 catalyst at 220 °C in comparison to tert-butanol and 1-propanol solvents (~43–47% conversion of 2-phenoxy-1-phenyl ethanol). Also, the increase in reaction temperature from 200 °C to 240 °C enhanced the cleavage of the ether bond with an increase in phenol selectivity from 9.4% to 19.5% and improved the catalytic conversion of 2-phenoxy-1-phenyl ethanol from 46.6% to 98.5% over the Ru/C-KOH-2 catalyst and ethanol solvent. The Ru/C-KOH-2 catalyst showed outstanding conversion (98.5%) of 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol at 240 °C, 1h, ethanol solvent. This novel hierarchical porous activated carbon-supported ruthenium catalyst (Ru/C-KOH-2) can be applied for the further conversion of the lignin compound.

Introduction: Understanding the fractions of lignin is important for further conversion of lignin into valuable products. Herein, the “home-made” lignin from Earleaf Acacia tree was extracted by sequential industrial organic solvent and characterized each fraction to reveal its properties for further catalytic applications. Methods: In this work, lignin was prepared from the Earleaf Acacia tree using the soda method. Then, the prepared lignin was fractionated by sequential solvents of ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and acetone. Each lignin fractions were characterized by FT-IR and GPC. Results: The FT-IR results confirmed the soda method can produce lignin from woodchips. The fractionation of lignin separated the lignin mixture into different molecular weight fraction from light – medium into heavy compounds. Conclusion: Lignin was produced from woodchips using the soda method successfully. The fractionation using the sequential organic solvents showed the separation of different molecular weight of lignin, which allow to apply for the further conversion into useful products.