Sustainable
production of fine chemicals and fuels from renewable
energy resources is an important process in the current scenario of
the energy crisis. In this study, we have reported complete hydrogenation
of eugenol, which is an important biomass-derived molecule using ruthenium-containing
nickel hydrotalcite (NiRu-HT)-type materials and isopropyl alcohol
as a solvent. A series of group VIII metals containing bimetallic
Ni-HT-type materials were synthesized, characterized, and demonstrated
to participate in eugenol conversion, and among which, Ni-Ru-HT was
found to give the highest selectivity toward alkyl cyclohexanol. The
reaction conditions, including reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure,
and the Ni/Ru ratio, were optimized. Based on the results, it can
be concluded that eugenol was first hydrogenated to 4-propyl guaiacol
and then underwent simultaneous demethoxylation and aromatic ring
hydrogenation to form 4-propylcyclohexanol. Moreover, various lignin-derived
phenolic compounds can be efficiently converted into alkyl cyclohexanols
and aromatic compounds into alkyl cyclohexane. The in situ formation of metallic ruthenium on the surface of NiRu-HT evident
from TPR and TEM analyses is responsible for observed high yields
of ring hydrogenated products of eugenol (i.e., 4-propylcyclohexanol).