Modified microfiber attapulgite (MFA)-supported nickel was prepared by thermally decomposing nickel tetracarbonyl on MFA modified with an acidic ionic liquid (AIL, 1-sulfobuty1-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate). It was characterized with multiple instruments and used for catalyzing hydroconversion of lignite-related model compounds (LRMCs) oxydibenzene, benzyloxybenzene, and oxybis (methylene)dibenzene. The results indicate that Ni-15%/MFA@AIL effectively catalyzes hydroconversion of the LRMCs to afford cyclanes by inducing the formation of H+, H-, and biatomic active hydrogen. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.