The pulp and paper industry produces millions of tons of lignins annually. Most is burned as fuel, with only a few percent being used to produce products. Lignin, a major constituent of lignocellulosic biomass, and nature's most abundant source of renewable aromatics, offers potential value to the chemical industry for production of a range of chemicals, including vanillin. Catalytic oxidation of lignin to obtain value-added products via the application of molecular oxygen and copper complexes is one useful method.In our study, two dimeric model compounds, one �-ether oligomer, and a milled wood lignin sample from Loblolly pine, were catalytically oxidized. Yields and stability of the aldehyde and acid products were measured. Lignin was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography before and after catalytic oxidation to determine the effectiveness and degree of depolymerization of our oxidation method, and the structure of the residual lignin. To date, this method breaks down the lignin polymeric structure reasonably effectively, producing low molecular mass products in reasonable yields.

Catalytic alkaline oxidation of lignin and its model compounds: A pathway to fine chemicals

245th National Meeting (2013)

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