Efficient selective activation of sorbitol C-O bonds over C-C bonds on CoGa (221) generated by latticeinduction strategy

Sorbitol is a primary platform compound in the conversion of cellulose. The conversion of sorbitol to C-6 hydrocarbons requires a complete cleavage of C-O bonds and meanwhile the inhibition of C-C cleavage. Here, we demonstrated an efficient selective cleavage of C-O over C-C bond on the (221) facet of supported CoGa. A selectivity of 94% to C-6 hydrocarbon with conversion of 97% has been achieved. The selective C-O cleavage was demonstrated by tuning the exposed facet as (221) or (110). The supported CoGa was prepared simply by reduction of Co and Ga-containing layered double hydroxides (CoZnGaAl-LDHs), and the exposed facets of CoGa crystallites were controlled by tailoring the temperature-programmed rate in the reduction. By reducing CoZnGaAl-LDHs, CoGa (221) was exposed with a temperature-programmed rate of 5 degrees C/min under the induction of ZnO lattice, while CoGa (110) was exposed with a rate of 10 degrees C/min.