Fast pyrolysis of biomass produces a crude bio-oil from which lignin can be extracted during upgrading to hydrocarbon fuels. In order to utilize this pyrolytic lignin as a feedstock for the production of valuable chemical products its structure and properties must be evaluated to facilitate development of an effective depolymerization catalyst. We report here the structural investigations of pyrolytic lignin from various biomass sources as well as the catalytic deconstruction of these lignins. Transition metal oxidation catalysts, in particular Mn, Fe, and Cu complexes, have been investigated for their ability to reduce the molecular weight and produce monomeric aromatic products from pyrolytic lignin. The effect of radical mediating co-reagents, such as TEMPO and phenols has been investigated. These studies provide insight into the mechanism of enzymatic lignin degradation. Schiff base ligands have been used to optimize the cleavage reaction; including bifunctional ligands designed to assist in hydrogen atom abstraction.

Production of chemical feedstocks from pyrolytic lignin using transition metal oxidation catalysts

249th National Meeting (2015)

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