Most of the interest in lignocellulosic biomass has focused on the conversion of the cellulosic fraction to ethanol via fermentation.   Regardless of the technical maturity of these processes, they remain fundamentally inefficient with respect to the potential of the initial biomass feedstocks.  As a result, the structurally rich chemical nature of the lignin fraction is essentially used for a purpose far below its potential. The utilization of lignin as a source of alternative fuels and feedstock chemicals provides a potentially sustainable alternative to benzene, toluene, and zylene-based compounds derived from petroleum.  Thus our efforts have focused on unlocking through a combined strategy of: (1) manipulation of lignin production in lignocellulosic feedstock plants, (2) the development of thermochemical strategies for lignin specific solubilization, and (3) the subsequent catalytic upgrading of the liberated lignin sub-components to  viable fuel and feedstock chemicals. In this presentation new developments and remaining challenges will be discussed.

Lignin deconstruction for the production of liquid fuels and chemicals

244th National Meeting (2012)

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