The preparation of methyl glycolate (MG) involves the hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate (DMO), followed by hydrolysis and repolymerization to obtain polyglycolic acid, which facilitates the rational and efficient utilization of coal resources. Compared with the disadvantages of Ag-based catalysts, which are expensive and prone to sintering at high temperatures, and Cu-based catalysts, which tend to lead to deep hydrogenation of MG, Ni₃P with its strong noble metal nature, shows high catalytic efficiency and stability, thus its application in the hydrogenation of DMO for the synthesis of MG reaction has a good prospect. However, due to the weak activity of Ni₃P for DMO hydrogenation, the reaction conditions are strict. Additionally, Ni₃P is currently prepared by impregnation method, which results in uneven impregnation, grain agglomeration and low dispersion. In this study, aqueous-oil biphasic synthesis was used to prepare dendritic polymorphic silica (DPS) as the carrier, followed by the loading of Ni₃P, and the 27% Ni₃P/DPS catalyst was obtained for the partial hydrogenation of DMO, which resulted in the conversion of 92% of DMO and the selectivity of 93% of MG at 240 ^oC. The advantage of the catalyst is that the metal can enter its petal-like pores while adhering to the surface of the sphere to improve the dispersion of Ni₃P nanoparticles. Meanwhile, DPS has a three-dimensional open frame structure, which facilitates the transportation of substances along the central-radial channels and the further reaction with the active site on the inner surface, and thus is conducive to the enhancement of the hydrogenation activity of Ni₃P alloy catalysts.

dimethyl oxalate,,methyl glycolate,,hydrogenation,,Ni-P alloy,,dendritic porous silica