Lignin has been widely studied as a sustainable source of renewable materials, particularly aromatic feedstock chemicals, which are in great and increasing need in the world. Lignin oxidation and depolymerisation presents a promising approach to produce functionalized phenolic products. In this work, two novel pathways of oxidative degradation of lignin have been investigated. The first strategy is that oxidize lignin with copper acetate, which was then depolymerised by a formate ionic liquid resulting in ethyl acetate soluble and also water-soluble depolymerised lignin products. The β-O-4 bonds in lignin were oxidized and then depolymerised by arecyclable ionic liquid, 2-hydroxy ethylammonium formate, at the temperature of 110°C for 24 hours. 2-Hydroxy ethylammonium formate, which could dissolve lignin acting as a solvent, was found to also catalyse the depolymerisation of the oxidised lignin. The second strategy is using copper sulphate as a catalyst to proceed the oxidative depolymerisation with the assistant of microwave. Lignin was successfully depolymerised in these two methods and depolymerised products were also characterised.

Lignin degradation using recyclable formate ionic liquids and microwave

255th National Meeting (2018)

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