For the increasing demand of oil-derived chemicals, plant biomass is a credible alternative source. However, methods need to be developed to selectively remove functional groups, simplifying their structures so that they resemble oil-based feedstocks. Lignin constitutes ca35% of dry woody biomass and is produced as a non-commercial waste by-product from the Kraft Pulping industry, as well as biorefineries. The polyphenolic chemical structures of lignin are built from guaiacolpropane subunits linked with C-C bonds and C-O (ether) bonds, which resist the degradation of woody biomass. Guaiacol represents around 40% of the phenolic monomers within digested lignin. We have investigated commercially viable processes for the hydrogenolysis of poly�oxygenated aromatic compounds formed from digested lignin, to provide a selective and high yielding formation of the chemicals, e.g. benzene, anisole and benzoic acid etc.

Sustainable aromatics: Synthesis and hydrogenolysis of trisubstituted-1,3,5-triazines with lignin monomer compounds

247th National Meeting (2014)

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