In order to utilize the chemical energy stored in lignin, the heavily cross-linked polymer must be broken into monomers and then deoxygenated before any affordable or feasible mechanism for mainstream combustion can be possible.  Recent advancements in catalyzed hydropyrolysis show promising results but a mechanistic picture for the chemical pathways accessed remains to be explored.  In order to better understand the effects of hydrogen atoms on raw biomass feedstock, gas-phase pyrolysis is being probed using photoionization mass spectrometry and matrix isolation spectroscopy in order to gain a clearer picture of the reactivity of lignin monomer-analog molecules in the presence of hydrogen atoms.  De-oxygenation and de-substitution of alkylbenzenes, phenol, and anisole has been accomplished using a hydrogen atom source at relatively low pyrolysis temperatures, 700-1000K.  This work is encouraging for future work on larger lignin fragments.

Fundamental investigation of lignin fragment hydropyrolysis

247th National Meeting (2014)

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