The effect of different types of alcohols used as hydrogen donors on the activity of a metal Ni-based catalyst in the hydrogenation of benzofuran as a model substrate under transfer hydrogenation conditions has been studied.The hydrogenation process of benzofuran using 2-PrOH as a hydrogen donor leads sequentially to dearomatization and then to deoxygenation of the substrates.At the same time,the use of primary alcohols such as MeOH,EtOH and 1-PrOH as hydrogen donors leads to irreversible deactivation of the Ni-containing catalyst.A clear mechanism of deactivation of Ni-based metal catalysts by primary alcohols has been established.The interaction of the catalyst with primary alcohols at a temperature of 250 ℃ leads to the formation of an inactive Ni3C carbide phase,as well as sintering and segregation of metal particles on the surface of the alumina support.