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Catalytic carbon–carbon bond cleavage in lignin via manganese–zirconium-mediated autoxidation

Journal Article · · Nature Communications
Abstract

Efforts to produce aromatic monomers through catalytic lignin depolymerization have historically focused on aryl–ether bond cleavage. A large fraction of aromatic monomers in lignin, however, are linked by various carbon–carbon (C–C) bonds that are more challenging to cleave and limit the yields of aromatic monomers from lignin depolymerization. Here, we report a catalytic autoxidation method to cleave C–C bonds in lignin-derived dimers and oligomers from pine and poplar. The method uses manganese and zirconium salts as catalysts in acetic acid and produces aromatic carboxylic acids as primary products. The mixtures of the oxygenated monomers are efficiently converted to cis,cis -muconic acid in an engineered strain of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that conducts aromatic O -demethylation reactions at the 4-position. This work demonstrates that autoxidation of lignin with Mn and Zr offers a catalytic strategy to increase the yield of valuable aromatic monomers from lignin.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308; FG02-05ER15690
OSTI ID:
2283106
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2311875
OSTI ID: 2348875
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA--2A00-85269; 862; PII: 45038
Journal Information:
Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 15; ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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