Catalytic hydroxyalkylation/alkylation of hemicellulose-derived 2-methyfuran with lignin-derived cyclohexanone yields high-density biofuel precursor (FCF) with high yield of 89.1% over nafion-212. The reaction can also be controlled at the hydroxyalkylation stage to produce another precursor (FC) with yield of 76.0% with amberlyst-15 catalyst, low FC/cyclohexanone ratio and the presence of water solvent. After hydrodeoxygenation, two high-density biofuels with density of 0.804 g/ml and 0.825 g/ml were produced, respectively. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.