Catalytic depolymerisation of isolated lignins to fine chemicals using a Pt/alumina catalyst: part 1—impact of the lignin structure

Bouxin, F. P., McVeigh, A., Tran, F., Westwood, N. J., Jarvis, M. C. and Jackson, S. D. (2015) Catalytic depolymerisation of isolated lignins to fine chemicals using a Pt/alumina catalyst: part 1—impact of the lignin structure. Green Chemistry, 17(2), pp. 1235-1242. (doi: 10.1039/C4GC01678E)

Abstract

Four lignin preparations with different contents of alkyl–aryl ether bonds were depolymerised using an alumina supported platinum catalyst. The results showed that the proportion of β-O-4 linkages is the crucial factor for both the yield and the nature of the monomeric products. Highly condensed lignin generated mainly non-alkylated phenolic products while uncondensed lignin generated mainly phenolic products retaining the 3-carbon side-chain. These phenolic products with the 3-carbon chain still attached were considerably less abundant than the maximum potential yield calculated from selective cleavage of alkyl–aryl ether bonds by thioacidolysis, demonstrating that the scope for improved yield remains. Although the catalytic conversion yield rose with an increasing content of labile ether linkages in the lignin structure, optimisation of the catalytic depolymerisation was increasingly required to minimize side reactions. Gel permeation chromatography showed that the products converged towards the same molecular weight distribution regardless of the starting material. The full potential of the highly uncondensed lignin was reached only after the minimisation of condensation reactions during the catalytic conversion.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bouxin, Dr Florent and Jarvis, Dr Michael and McVeigh, Miss Ashley and Jackson, Professor David
• Authors: Bouxin, F. P., McVeigh, A., Tran, F., Westwood, N. J., Jarvis, M. C., and Jackson, S. D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Green Chemistry
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 1463-9262
• ISSN (Online): 1463-9270
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Royal Society of Chemistry
• First Published: First published in Green Chemistry 17(2):1235-1242
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License