Pyrolysis of biomass forms pyrolysis oil which can be further upgraded into a non-fossil based petroleum fuel, but it also produces large quantities of high molecular weight pyrolytic lignin. Homogeneous catalysts can further degrade the pyolytic lignin into useful aromatic chemicals. Some homogeneous transition metal complexes of metals such as Ni, Ru, and V have been shown to break the C-O bonds in lignin model compounds.  We will report studies on the use of a variety of metal compounds, such as these, to depolymerize pyrolytic lignin samples into low molecular weight products. We will also explore how different sources of lignin and different pyrolysis conditions affect the products that can be achieved through catalytic lignin depolymerization.

Transition metal catalyzed conversion of pyrolytic lignin into chemical feedstocks

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.