Methods for producing multifunctional catalysts for upgrading pyrolysis oil

A method of making a multifunctional catalyst for upgrading pyrolysis oil, the method comprising:

• contacting a zeolite support with a solution comprising at least a first metal catalyst precursor and a second metal catalyst precursor, where the first metal catalyst precursor, the second metal catalyst precursor, or both, comprises a heteropolyacid having at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of phosphorous, silicon, germanium, arsenic, and combinations of these, where the zeolite support comprises a molar ratio of silica to alumina of from 10 to 70, and where the contacting deposits the first metal catalyst precursor and the second metal catalyst precursor onto outer surfaces and pore surfaces of the zeolite support to produce a multifunctional catalyst precursor;
• removing excess solution from the multifunctional catalyst precursor;
• and
• calcining the multifunctional catalyst precursor at a temperature of at least 500 degrees Celsius to produce the multifunctional catalyst comprising at least a first metal catalyst and a second metal catalyst deposited on the outer surfaces and pore surfaces of the zeolite support, and
• where the multifunctional catalyst has an acidity of less than 10,000 micromoles of ammonia per gram (μmol(NH3)/g).