Lignin is an abundant and renewable feedstock that can be converted directly to fuels and chemicals via many thermochemical and catalytic processes. However, due to lignin's recalcitrance, the development of catalysts that effectively and efficiently depolymerize lignin through the cleavage of C-O bonds is desired to realize its potential as a feedstock. The catalytic deoxygenation of this aromatic feedstock, therefore, requires highly selective catalysts capable of cleaving C-O bonds without losing aromaticity through ring hydrogenation. A selective catalyst capable of performing these reactions can greatly impact the economics of this process by minimizing the amount of hydrogen needed. Our group has synthesized highly selective bimetallic Fe/Mo phosphide catalysts that can selectively cleave phenolic C-O bonds without saturating the aromatic ring with molecular hydrogen. These catalysts have been characterized by many techniques to determine how acidity, metal ratios, and synthesis conditions affect the selectivity to C-O bond cleavage reactions. This presentation will focus on the synthesis and characterization of these interesting and selective catalysts for the production of fuels and chemicals derived from lignin.

Synthesis of selective bimetallic phosphide catalysts for the deoxygenation of lignin

247th National Meeting (2014)

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