While significant progress has been made over the past decade in the field lignin depolymerization, lignin remains one of the grand challenges to the bio-economy. Indeed, the utilization of lignin continues to be the main barrier to the implementation of cellulosic ethanol. This is, in part, due to the heterogeneity of structures in lignin and the relatively few processes that can break lignin down to monomers efficiently. Moreover, a variety of lignins are produced, which can have wildly different properties in terms of structure, solubility, and molecular weight. To combat this, we have examined a variety of lignins with our newly developed lignin depolymerization catalyst, Au/Li-Al LDH. This reaction system involves a heterogenous Au/Li-Al LDH catalyst in combination with O2, followed by base hydrolysis in 0.1 M NaOH. Additionally, we tested a variety of lignin depolymerization techniques on two promising lignins in order to give an experimental review of the literature. It was found that the Au/Li-Al LDH catalyst/O2 system in combination with base hydrolysis efficiently depolymerizes a variety of lignins to small aromatic acids and aldehydes more effectively than the other processes tested. While the monomers may be used as renewable chemicals and feedstocks in their own right, we have examined their use, as well as the residual lignin, to make a variety of lignin products such as epoxy resins, carbon fibers, and activated carbons.

Oxidative deconstruction of lignin for the production of renewable chemicals and products

2019 Fall National Meeting

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