Tuning Acid-Metal Synergy in m-Cresol Hydrodeoxygenation over Bifunctional Pt/Aluminosilicate Catalysts

Strong synergy between proximate Bro̷nsted acid and metal sites over a Pt/amorphous silica–alumina (ASA) catalyst confers striking activity and selectivity enhancements for m-cresol hydrodeoxygenation to methylcyclohexane, a fuel additive and potential liquid organic hydrogen carrier for storing renewable energy. Molecular shuttling back and forth between cooperative acid and metal sites activates m-cresol for consecutive tautomerization, ring hydrogenation, and dehydration, ensuing eventual hydrogenation to methylcyclohexane with a fourfold yield enhancement compared to a physical mix of solid acid and Pt/SiO2.