Ni/kieselguhr catalysts were applied to hydrodeoxygenate 2-methoxyphenol as a model reaction for bio-oil upgrading in a batch reactor at 100 degrees C and 1.36 MPa. The Ni(40 wt%)-MgO(1.8 wt%)/kieselguhr showed much higher activity in the 2-methoxyphenol hydrodeoxygenation, which could be attributed to the optimal nickel particle size, surface area, and reducibility of the catalyst. Of the Na2CO3 + Urea, NaHCO3, and (NH4)2CO3 precipitants, the Na2CO3 + Urea showed the highest activity because the dispersion and surface area of nickel, rather than the pore size of the catalyst, seems to play an important role in the 2-methoxyphenol hydrodeoxygenation.