Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol Over Orthorhombic Molybdenum Carbide: A DFT and Microkinetic Study

Abstract

The hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol is modelled over a (100) β-Mo2C surface using density functional theory and microkinetic simulations. The thermochemistry of the process shows that the demethoxylation of the guaiacol, to form phenol, will be the initial steps, with a reaction energy of 29 kJ/mol (i.e. endothermic) and a highest activation barrier of 112 kJ/mol. Subsequently, the dehydroxylation of the phenol, which has a rate-determining activation barrier of 145 kJ/mol, will lead to the formation of benzene, with an overall reaction energy for conversion from guaiacol of -91 kJ/mol (i.e. exothermic).