The world is facing an ever increasing demand for sustainable sources of carbon based compounds for the chemical industry. One solution to this problem is the utilisation of bio-resources such as lignin, which is readily available as a by-product of the paper industry and is also a necessary by-product from the utilisation of waste biomass derived cellulose for the production of platform chemicals or energy. Various processes are available for the breakdown of lignin into a mixture of its phenolic components.1 Methods for the catalytic depolymerisation or reductive deoxygenation / depolymerisation of lignin constitutes an area of intense research. Another intensively researched area is the catalytic deoxygenation of lignin and depolymerised mixtures of phenols (bio-oils). This research focuses on replacing oxygenated functionality with hydrogen. We envisage a complementary approach that could enable these feedstocks to be used to make higher value fine chemicals. We call this approach constructive deoxygenation of bio-oils / phenols. As a result there is a demand for economic cross coupling chemistry to convert these highly oxygenated phenols into fine chemicals. This paper will illustrate our approaches towards the activation and sequential selective and constructive deoxygenation of lignin derived phenols via novel transition metal catalysed cross coupling methodology as an approach towards satisfying the demand for renewable carbon sources.1 Zakzeski, J.; Bruijnincx, P. C. A.; Jongerius, A. L.; Weckhuysen, B. M. Chem. Rev. 2010  , 110, 3552-3599

Constructive deoxygenation of lignin derived phenols as a sustainable source of fine chemicals

247th National Meeting (2014)

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