A Comparison of Phenolic Monomers Produced from Different Types of Lignin by Phosphotungstic Acid Catalysts

Herein we studied the chemical structure of different types of lignin samples and the potential to prepare phenolic monomers was illustrated by phosphotungstic acid catalysts. Different types of H/G/S lignin components had different structures. The lignin extracted from poplar had the highest molecular weight and β-O-4 aryl ether contents, followed by pine and straw lignin samples. After depolymerization by PTA catalyst, the yields of phenolic monomers detected was 8.06 wt % (poplar), 5.44 wt % (pine) and 4.52 wt % (straw), respectively. Further, the ratios of H/G/S in the phenol monomers were also different, indicating that the S, G and H types structural units were continuously transformed with each other during the reaction. In our study, the change in the types of lignin samples resulted into an improvement of the distribution of phenolic products, and also the selectivity of phenolic monomers significantly.     

Generation and reactivity of ketyl radicals with lignin related structures. On the importance of the ketyl pathway in the photoyellowing of lignin containing pulps and papers

[reaction: see text] Ketyl radicals with lignin related structures have been generated by means of radiation chemical and photochemical techniques. In the former studies ketyl radicals are produced by reaction of alpha-carbonyl-beta-aryl ether lignin models with the solvated electron produced by pulse radiolysis of an aqueous solution at pH 6.0. The UV-vis spectra of ketyl radicals are characterized by three main absorption bands. The shape and position of these bands slightly change when the spectra are recorded in alkaline solution (pH 11.0) being now assigned to the ketyl radical anions and a pKa = 9.5 is determined for the 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenoxyethanol-1-yl radical. Decay rates of ketyl radicals are found to be dose dependent and, at low doses, lie in the range (1.7-2.7) x 10(3) s(-1). In the presence of oxygen a fast decay of the ketyl radicals is observed (k2 = 1.8-2.7 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)) that is accompanied by the formation of stable products, i.e., the starting ketones. In the photochemical studies ketyl radicals have been produced by charge-transfer (CT) photoactivation of the electron donor-acceptor salts of methyl viologen (MV2+) with alpha-hydroxy-alpha-phenoxymethyl-aryl acetates. This process leads to the instantaneous formation of the reduced acceptor (methyl viologen radical cation, MV+*), as is clearly shown in a laser flash photolysis experiment by the two absorption bands centered at 390 and 605 nm, and an acyloxyl radical [ArC(CO2*))(OH)CH2(OC6H5)], which undergoes a very fast decarboxylation with formation of the ketyl radicals. Steady-state photoirradiation of the CT ion pairs indicates that 1-aryl-2-phenoxyethanones are formed as primary photoproducts by oxidation of ketyl radicals by MV2+ (under argon) or by molecular oxygen. Small amounts of acetophenones are formed by further photolysis of 1-aryl-2-phenoxyethanones and not by beta-fragmentation of the ketyl radicals. The high reactivity of ketyl radicals with oxygen coupled with the low rates of beta-fragmentation of the same species have an important bearing in the context of the photoyellowing of lignin containing pulps and papers.     

STEROL METABOLISM. XLII. ON THE INTERCEPTION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN BY STEROLS

Abstract— The use of cyclic 1,3-dienes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as xenobiotic substrates for the interception of electronically excited (singlet) molecular oxygen (¹O₂) in biological systems is reviewed and criticized, and the possibility of utilization of reactive endogenous substrates for ¹O₂ interception is considered. The common sterols, cholesterol, 5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol, and 5α-lanost-8-en-3β-ol each give oxidation products with ¹O₂ different from those with ground-state molecular oxygen that can be distinguished from one another by simple chromatographic means.     

Structure and Pyrolysis Characteristics of Lignin Derived from Wood Powder Hydrolysis Residues

Physicochemical characteristics of wood powder acid hydrolysis residue (WAHR) were studied firstly in this study, and WAHL (lignin derived from WAHR) was separated successfully from WAHR based on an improved isolating method. The content of functional group such as phenolic hydroxyl group of guaiacyl, syringyl, and hydroxyl?Cphenyl units in WAHL were identified by ³¹P-NMR and DFRC (derivatization followed by reductive cleavage) method. Thermal degradation experiments were carried out on a thermogravimetric (TG) analyzer to show pyrolysis characteristics of WAHL. The compositions of pyrolysis products of WAHL were also studied throughout a pyrolysis?Cgas chromatography?Cmass spectrometry (Py?CGC?CMS) analyzer. It was shown that the pyrolysis of WAHL took place in a wide temperature range and there were two obvious peaks in the differential thermogravimetric diagram. Results of Py?CGC?CMS analysis indicated that pyrolysis products were mainly formed through cleavage of the ??-O-4 connection and multiple pyrolysis.     

THE OXIDATION OF CHOLESTEROL BY HYDROXYL RADICAL

Abstract— The oxidation of chblesterol by hydroxyl radical generated by ⁶⁰Co y-radiolysis of aqueous cholesterol dispersions or of dispersions saturated with N₂O ave in low yields the products 38-hydroxy-cholest-5-en-7-one. the epimeric cholest-5-ene-3β,7-diols, 5,6α-epoxy-5α-cholestan-3β-ol, 5.6β-epoxy-5β-cholestan-3,β-ol, and 5α-cholestane-38,5,6β-triol. Sterol hydroperoxides were not detected except in the radiolysis of dispersions saturated with oxygen.     

Study of Products of the Alkaline Decomposition of Hydrolysis Lignin by Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

A method of high resolution-mass spectrometry with acetone doped atmospheric pressure photoionization was used to study products of the alkaline solvolysis of hydrolysis lignin. It was found that the mass spectrum of the depolymerization products of hydrolysis lignin consists of about seven thousand peaks of oligomers, containing up to 10 aromatic units with an average molecular weight of 150 Da. Calculations of the elemental compositions of all detectable oligomers and their visualization on the van Krevelen coordinates allowed us to show that the studied sample differs from native (virgin released) lignin by the presence of fractions with high oxygen contents and highly unsaturated condensed structures, including polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. The structural units of lignin oligomers were characterized using an approach based on the collision induced dissociation of precursor ions in a broad m/z range.     

Mesoporous structures in never-dried softwood cellulose fibers investigated by nitrogen adsorption

Nitrogen adsorption was used to characterize mesoporous structures in never-dried softwood cellulose fibers. Distinct inflections in desorption isotherms were observed over the relative vapor pressure (P/P₀) range of 0.5–0.42 for never-dried cellulose fibers and partially delignified softwood powders. The reduction in N₂ adsorption volume was attributed to cavitation of condensed N₂ present in mesopores formed via lignin removal from wood cell walls during delignification. The specific surface areas of significantly delignified softwood powders were ~150 m² g^?1, indicating that in wood cell walls 16 individual cellulose microfibrils, each 3–4 nm in width, form one cellulose fibril bundle surrounded with a thin layer of lignin and hemicelluloses. Analysis of N₂ adsorption isotherms indicates that mesopores in the softwood cellulose fibers and partially delignified softwood powders had peaks ranging from 4 to 20 nm in diameter.     

SPECTROSCOPY AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 8-SUBSTITUTED 5-DEAZAFLAVINS

Abstract— Absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra as well as fluorescence and phosphorescence quantum yields of 8-X-5-deazaflavins (X = C1, NO₂, p -NO₂-C₆H₄, N(CH₃)₂, NH₂, p -NH₂-C₆H₄, p -N(CH₃)₂-C₆H₄-N=N) were determined. It was found that all these data are highly influenced by the substituent at position 8 of the 5-deazaisoalloxazine skeleton. Also the photoreduction of 8-X-5-deazaflavins in the presence of electron donors was studied. It was established that the photoreduction leads to the formation of a 5,5'-dimer and/or a 6,7-dihydro compound. Reduction of the C(6)-C(7) bond is promoted by strong electron-donating substituents and bulky electron donors. 5-Deazaftavins with a reducible substituent at position 8 exhibit reduction of the substituent prior to the reduction of the 5-deazaisoalloxazine skeleton.     

木质素二聚体模型化合物热解机理的量子化学研究

β-O-4连接是木质素主体结构单元之间的主要联结方式。采用密度泛函理论方法B3LYP,在6-31G (d, p)基组水平上,对β-O-4型木质素二聚体模型化合物(1-愈创木基-2-(2-甲氧基苯氧基)-1,3丙二醇)的热解反应机理进行了研究。提出了三种热解反应途径:C_β-O键均裂的后续反应、C_α-C_β键均裂的后续反应以及协同反应。对各种反应的反应物、产物、中间体和过渡态的结构进行了能量梯度全优化,计算了各热解反应途径的标准动力学参数。分析了各种主要热解产物的形成演化机理以及热解过程中温度对热解机理的影响。计算结果表明,C_β-O键的均裂反应和协同反应路径(1)和(3)是木质素二聚体热解过程中主要的反应路径,而C_α-C_β键的均裂反应和协同反应路径(2)和(5)是主要的竞争反应路径;热解的主要产物是酚类化合物如愈创木酚、1-愈创木基-3-羟基丙酮、3-愈创木基-3-羟基丙醛、愈创木基甲醛和乙烯等。在热解低温阶段协同反应是热解过程中的主要反应形式,而在高温阶段自由基均裂反应是热解过程的主要反应形式。     

Synthesis and Characterization of New 5‐Linked Pinoresinol Lignin Models

Pinoresinol structures, featuring a β‐β′‐linkage between lignin monomer units, are important in softwood lignins and in dicots and monocots, particularly those that are downregulated in syringyl‐specific genes. Although readily detected by NMR spectroscopy, pinoresinol structures largely escaped detection by β‐ether‐cleaving degradation analyses presumably due to the presence of the linkages at the 5 positions, in 5‐5′‐ or 5‐O‐4′‐structures. In this study, which is aimed at helping better understand 5‐linked pinoresinol structures by providing the required data for NMR characterization, new lignin model compounds were synthesized through biomimetic peroxidase‐mediated oxidative coupling reactions between pre‐formed (free‐phenolic) coniferyl alcohol 5‐5′‐ or 5‐O‐4′‐linked dimers and a coniferyl alcohol monomer. It was found that such dimers containing free‐phenolic coniferyl alcohol moieties can cross‐couple with the coniferyl alcohol producing pinoresinol‐containing trimers (and higher oligomers) in addition to other homo‐ and cross‐coupled products. Eight new lignin model compounds were obtained and characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and one tentatively identified cross‐coupled β‐O‐4′‐product was formed from a coniferyl alcohol 5‐O‐4′‐linked dimer. It was demonstrated that the 5‐5′‐ and 5‐O‐4′‐linked pinoresinol structures could be readily differentiated by using heteronuclear multiple‐bond correlation (HMBC) NMR spectroscopy. With appropriate modification (etherification or acetylation) to the newly obtained model compounds, it would be possible to identify the 5‐5′‐ or 5‐O‐4′‐linked pinoresinol structures in softwood lignins by 2D HMBC NMR spectroscopic methods. Identification of the cross‐coupled dibenzodioxocin from a coniferyl alcohol 5‐5′‐linked moiety suggested that thioacidolysis or derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) could be used to detect and identify whether the coniferyl alcohol itself undergoes 5‐5′‐cross‐linking during lignification.     

PRODUCTS AND RELATIVE REACTION RATES OF THE OXIDATION OF TOCOPHEROLS WITH SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN

Abstract— The relative reactivity of singlet molecular oxygen, 0₂(¹Δ_g), α-,β-,Γ-and δ with -tocopherol (vitamin E) was investigated using microwave discharge generation as a uniquely clean source of singlet oxygen and using a hydrocarbon solvent to approximate the membrane environment. The relative efficiencies of the tocopherols for O₂(¹Δg) were found to decrease in the order: D-α-tocopherol > D-β-tocopheroI > D–Γ-tocopherol > D-δ-tocopherol. The reaction products in all cases were found to be mixtures of quinone and quinone epoxides apparently resulting from decomposition of the primary product, the hydroperoxydienone.     

Structural features and thermal degradation properties of various lignin macromolecules obtained from poplar wood (Populus albaglandulosa)

Four different lignins obtained from poplar wood (milled wood lignin: ML, organosolv lignin: OL, ionic liquid lignin: IL and Klason lignin: KL) were subjected to several types of chemical/thermal analyses to compare their structural features and thermal decomposition properties. The ML, OL, IL and KL yield from poplar wood was 5.5, 3.9, 5.8, 19.5 wt%, respectively. Functional group analysis revealed that during the OL and KL extraction processes, the condensation reaction involved with phenolic hydroxyl groups of lignins significantly prevailed, which led to a highly condensed OL and KL structure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that OL and KL thermal stability was much higher than that of ML and IL. The derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) data showed that the thermal stability was highly associated with the frequency of arylglycerol-β-aryl ether (β-O-4) linkages in the lignin polymers. Pyrolysis-GC/MS (Py-GC/MS) analysis confirmed that acetic acid and several types of phenolic compounds were the main lignin pyrolysis products. The maximum sum of ML (13.8 wt%), OL (9.9 wt%) and IL (11.8 wt%) pyrolysis products was obtained at the pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C, whereas KL (1.6 wt%) was significantly lower due to its high thermal stability and condensation degree. The S- and G-type pyrolysis products (S/G) ratio varied from 1.61 to 1.93 for ML, 2.28 to 5.28 for OL, 2.06 to 2.86 for IL and 1.40 to 2.20 for KL, depending on the pyrolysis temperature, which ranged between 400 °C and 700 °C.     

RIBOFLAVIN-PHOTOSENSITIZED OXIDATIVE DEGRADATION OF A VARIETY OF LIGNIN MODEL COMPOUNDS

Oxidation of several lignin model compounds with alkylated paraphenolic groups by photosensitizing riboflavin (RF). rose bengal (RB) and methylene blue (MB) was examined. Photosensitizing RF cleaved l–(3'-4'-diethoxyphenyl)-1.3 dihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane (I). 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol-(3-guaiacyl ether (II) and l-(4'-ethoxy-3'-methoxyphenyI)-1,3 dihydroxypropane (IV) at their respective C_α-C_β bonds. Riboflavin also oxidized 3.4-diethoxy-benzaldehyde (VI) to the corresponding acid, and hydroxylated the conjugated olefin l-(4'-ethoxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)1.2 propene (III) to yield the initial product IV. In contrast, MB and RB hydroxylated III but had no effect on I, II, IV or VI under identical conditions. This suggested RF effected transformations via a hydrogen radical abstraction (Type I) rather than a ¹O₂ mediated reaction.
To confirm this, the effects of deuterium oxide (D_:0) and oxygen pressure on the photosensitizing dye reactions were examined. The effect of D₂0 on tryptophan (Trp) oxidation and hydroxylation of III by MB and RB was significant, indicating involvement of ¹O₂. D₂O had no significant effect on cleavage of the diarylpropane (I) and the olefin (III) by RF, indicating these reactions did not proceed by a Type II mechanism. While O₂ pressure effect on Trp oxidation by MB was insignificant, it had a large negative effect on cleavage of I by RF. These results, coupled with the relatively slow oxidation rate of Trp by RF. indicate that photosensitizing RF produces ¹O₂ inefficiently and is not effecting oxidation of these lignin model compounds via a Type II mechanism.     

Electron-beam degradation of wood: 1. Dry distillation products

Electron-beam heating to ≥270°C initiates the process of dry (destructive) distillation of wood. Birch, aspen, alder, spruce, and pine wood is decomposed yielding liquid organic products (55–61 wt %), gas (13–18 wt %), and charcoal. The liquid largely consists of carbonyl compounds. The furan fraction makes up approximately one fifth. The liquid produced from softwood is heavier and is rich in phenolic compounds. The products of dry distillation upon wood irradiation in a stream of propane and butanes are enriched in liquid alkanes, alcohols, and ethers. The feasibility of conversion of the condensable products into regular liquid fuel is discussed.     

Radical synthesis of tetrameric lignin model compound

The lack of suitable lignin model compound limits the understanding of the characteristics of lignin, and hence hinders the efficient utilization of this kind of bioresource. A tetramer phenolic lignin model compound composed of 5-5, α-O-4 and β-5 linkages was prepared by a two-step of free radical reaction with hydrogen peroxide/horseradish peroxidase and S₂O₈^2- /Fe²⁺ as the initiator. Compared with enzymatic process, this synthetic process gives a higher yield of 33.8% within a shorter time. HRMS and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy show that synthesized model compound contains phenylpropane structure linked by 5-5, α-O-4 and β-5 bonds, which can mimic some chemical characteristics of lignin.     

Some mechanistic aspects of the light-induced yellowing of lignin: A further study of the photochemical reactions of α-guaiacoxy-β-hydroxy-proprio-veratrone,and some substituted methoxybenzenes

The primary photoreduction of a model lignin system α-guaiacoxy-β-hydroxypropioveratrone occurs via a triplet mechanism leading to polarized ketyl radicals which undergo β-ether cleavage similarly to the photochemical reactions of α-guaiacoxyacetoveratrone. Comparison of the photoyellowing rates of solutions of the two lignin models showed a slightly greater rate for the derivative with the βhydroxymethyl function, with some subtle differences in behavior between the two compounds probably due to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the former. In addition it was found that photooxidation of several methoxybenzenes was considerably slower than that of corresponding methoxyphenols. This is reassuring that the ubiquitous presence of methoxybenzene groups in lignin matrices is unlikely to contribute significantly on the timescale relevant to the photoyellowing of CTMP pulps.     

Degradation of Lignin Model Compounds in Organic Solvents. Part 1. Preliminary Studies

Preliminary studies were conducted on the degradation of guaiacylglycerol-β-aryl ether (β-O-4′), phenylcoumaran (β-5′) and biphenyl (5–5′) type lignin model compounds in the organic solvent systems such as ethanol-water (1:1, v/v) and 2-butanone-water (1:1, v/v), in the presence of a di- or trivalent inorganic salt to act as a Lewis acid in the temperature range 140–170°C and with a reaction time up to 60 minutes. The inorganic salts investigated include aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, and stannic chloride. The results indicate that lignin model compounds of both phenolic and non-phenolicβ-O-4′ types are susceptible to degradation in organic solvent systems in the presence of one of these salts. Stannic chloride was found to be the most suitable catalyst for the degradation of β-O-4′ type lignin model compounds in the organic solvent systems. In contrast, lignin model compounds of β-5′ and 5–5′ types did not undergo degradation under the same reaction conditions. A possible reaction mechanism for the degradation of β-O-4′ type lignin model compounds in organic solvent system in the presence of stannic chloride is discussed.     

UVA self-photosensitized oxygenation of beta-ionone

The steady-state UVA (350 nm) photolysis of ( E )-β-ionone ( 1 ) in aerated toluene solutions was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The formation of the 1,2,4-trioxane ( 2 ) and 5,8-endoperoxide ( 5 ) derivatives in the ratio of 4:1 was observed. Time-resolved laser induced experiments at 355 nm, such as laser-flash photolysis, photoacoustic and singlet oxygen ¹O₂ phosphorescence detection, confirmed the formation of the excited triplet state of 1 with a quantum yield Φ _T = 0.50 as the precursor for the generation of singlet oxygen ¹O₂ ( Φ _Δ = 0.16) and the isomeric α-pyran derivative ( 3 ), which was a reaction intermediate detected by NMR. In turn, the reaction of ¹O₂ with 1 and 3 occurred with rate constants of 1.0 × 10⁶ and 2.5 × 10⁸  m ⁻¹s⁻¹ to yield the oxygenated products 5 and 2 , respectively, indicating the relevance of the fixed s-cis configuration in the α-pyran ring in the concerted [2+4] cycloaddition of ¹O₂.     

Advancements and Perspectives toward Lignin Valorization via O-Demethylation

Lignin represents the largest aromatic carbon resource in plants, holding significant promise as a renewable feedstock for bioaromatics and other cyclic hydrocarbons in the context of the circular bioeconomy. However, the methoxy groups of aryl methyl ethers, abundantly found in technical lignins and lignin-derived chemicals, limit their pertinent chemical reactivity and broader applicability. Unlocking the phenolic hydroxyl functionality through O-demethylation (ODM) has emerged as a valuable approach to mitigate this need and enables further applications. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the progress in the valorization of technical lignin and lignin-derived chemicals via ODM, both catalytic and non-catalytic reactions. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the properties and potential applications of the O-demethylated products is presented, accompanied by a systematic overview of available ODM reactions. This review primarily focuses on enhancing the phenolic hydroxyl content in lignin-derived species through ODM, showcasing its potential in the catalytic funneling of lignin and value-added applications. A comprehensive synopsis and future outlook are included in the concluding section of this review.     

Improving the Yield and Rate of Acid-Catalyzed Deconstruction of Lignin by Mechanochemical Activation

Lignin is a potential biomass feedstock from plant material, but it is particularly difficult to economically process. Inspired by recent ball-milling results, state-of-the-art quantum mechanochemistry calculations have been performed to isolate and probe the purely mechanochemical stretching effect alone upon acid-catalyzed deconstruction of lignin. Effects upon cleavage of several exemplary simple ethers are examined first, and with low stretching force they all are predicted to cleave substantially faster, allowing for use of milder acids and lower temperatures. Effects upon an experimentally known lignin fragment model (containing the ubiquitous β-O-4 linkage) are next examined; this first required a mechanism refinement (3-step indirect cleavage, 1-step side reaction) and identification of the rate-limiting step under zero-force (thermal) conditions. Mechanochemical activation using very low stretching forces improves at first only yield, by fully shutting off the ring-closure side reaction. At only somewhat larger forces, in stark contrast, a switch in mechanism is found to occur, from 3-step indirect cleavage to the direct cleavage mechanism of simple ethers, finally strongly enhancing the cleavage rate of lignin. It is concluded that mechanochemical activation of the common β-O-4 link in lignin would improve the rate of its acidolysis via a mechanism switch past a low force threshold. Relevance to ball-milling experiments is discussed.