Issue 1, 2014

Depolymerization of organosolv lignin to aromatic compounds over Cu-doped porous metal oxides

Abstract

Isolated, solvent-extracted lignin from candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) biomass was subjected to catalytic depolymerization in methanol with an added pressure of H2, using a porous metal oxide catalyst (PMO) derived from a Cu-doped hydrotalcite-like precursor. The Cu-PMO was effective in converting low-molecular weight lignin into simple mixtures of aromatic products in high yield, without char formation. Gel permeation chromatography was used to track changes in molecular weight as a result of the catalytic treatments and product mixtures were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. In the temperature range 140–220 °C, unusual C9 catechols were obtained with high selectivity. Lignin conversion of >90% and recovery of methanol-soluble products in yields of was >70% was seen at 180 °C with optimized catalyst and biomass loadings. At 140 °C, 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-catechol was the major product and could be isolated in high purity.

Graphical abstract: Depolymerization of organosolv lignin to aromatic compounds over Cu-doped porous metal oxides

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Jun 2013
Accepted
16 Oct 2013
First published
17 Oct 2013

Green Chem., 2014,16, 191-196

Depolymerization of organosolv lignin to aromatic compounds over Cu-doped porous metal oxides

K. Barta, G. R. Warner, E. S. Beach and P. T. Anastas, Green Chem., 2014, 16, 191 DOI: 10.1039/C3GC41184B

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