Peracetic Acid Depolymerization of Biorefinery Lignin for Production of Selective Monomeric Phenolic Compounds

Journal Article · Mon Jul 04 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Chemistry - A European Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201600546· OSTI ID:1290390

Ma, Ruoshui ^[1]; Guo, Mond ^[1]; Lin, Kuan-ting ^[1]; Hebert, Vincent R. ^[2]; Zhang, Jinwen ^[3]; Wolcott, Michael P. ^[3]; Quintero, Melissa ^[1]; Ramasamy, Karthikeyan K. ^[4]; Chen, Xiaowen ^[5]; Zhang, Xiao ^[1]

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1. Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Bioproducts, Science & Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, 2710 Crimson Way Richland WA 99354 USA
2. Food and Environmental Laboratory, Washington State, University-TriCities, 2710 Crimson Way Richland WA 99354 USA
3. Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164 USA
4. Chemical and Biological Process Development Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland WA 99354 USA
5. National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Lab, 1617 Cole Blvd Golden CO 80127 USA

Lignin is the largest source of renewable material with an aromatic skeleton. However, due to the recalcitrant and heterogeneous nature of the lignin polymer as well as its complex side chain structures, it has been a challenge to effectively depolymerize lignin and produce high value chemicals with high selectivity. In this study, a highly efficient lignin-to-monomeric phenolic compounds (MPC) conversion method based on peracetic acid (PAA) treatment was reported. PAA treatment of two biorefinery lignin samples, diluted acid pretreated corn stover lignin (DACSL) and steam exploded spruce lignin (SESPL), led to complete solubilization and production of selective hydroxylated monomeric phenolic compounds (MPC-H) and monomeric phenolic acid compounds (MPC-A) inclduing 4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The maximized MPCs yields obtained were 18% and 22% based on the initial weight of the lignin in SESPL and DACSL respectively. However, we found that the addition of niobium pentoxide catalyst to PAA treatment of lignin can significantly improve the MPC yields up to 47%. The key reaction steps and main mechanisms involved in this new lignin-to-MPC valorization pathway were investigated and elucidated.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1290390
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-117752
• Journal Information: Chemistry - A European Journal, Vol. 22, Issue 31; ISSN 0947-6539
• Publisher: ChemPubSoc Europe
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English