Theoretical investigation on the reaction mechanisms of O2-initiated gas-phase oxidation of lignin model compounds

Transforming renewable lignin into high value-added chemicals is a forward-looking strategy to address the resource waste caused by insufficient utilization of biomass resources. On this basis, studying the efficient conversion of lignin to aldehydes/acids and their reaction mechanisms has become an attractive topic. A systematic investigation of the gas-phase oxidation reaction mechanisms of the three model compounds initiated by O₂ was carried out at the atomic and molecular levels by using density functional theory (DFT). Further revealing of oxidation behavior on two reaction sites of phenolic hydroxyl group and hydroxymethyl group were accomplished in detail. The potential energy surface information of 21 possible reaction channels of two pathways were obtained at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level. The influence of substituent effects on the reaction energy barrier was estimated. The calculation results showed that the reactivity of phenolic hydroxyl group is stronger than that of hydroxymethyl group, because the reaction Gibbs potential barriers are lower by about 4.9–8.7 kcal/mol. The reaction energy barriers on phenolic hydroxyl group site and hydroxymethyl group site decrease with the increase of the number of methoxy groups. Revealing the oxidation processes of lignin model compounds will provide a deeper understanding on the reaction mechanism and provide theoretical support for further experimental research on the conversion of lignin into high value-added chemicals.     

(Re)-thinking the bio-prospect of lignin biomass recycling to meet Sustainable Development Goals and circular economy aspects

Lignin, as an abundant natural polymer with interesting mechanical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, has the possibility to produce numerous chemicals and biofuels of current interest. However, the structural recalcitrance, heterogeneity, and complex extraction methods of lignin can hinder its transformation into value-added materials. Therefore, the research community is exploring innovative bioconversion technologies capable of effectively valorizing lignin. Thus, effective bioconversion and deconstruction methods have been recently studied. In this review, we first define lignin as a versatile raw material considering its characteristics, properties, and abundance. Then, lignin valorization is described in terms of the current opportunities and technical challenges. Finally, we discuss the industrial potential of lignin-derived products such as biofuels, biopolymers, biopesticides, and fertilizers. Those lignin-derived products are highly valuable for the energy and food industries, which are two main sectors challenged by the rapid growth of population, urbanization, and consumption. Thus, progress on lignin valorization would represent significant advancements in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and circular economy aspects.     

Added-Value Chemicals from Lignin Oxidation

Lignin is the second most abundant component, next to cellulose, in lignocellulosic biomass. Large amounts of this polymer are produced annually in the pulp and paper industries as a coproduct from the cooking process—most of it burned as fuel for energy. Strategies regarding lignin valorization have attracted significant attention over the recent decades due to lignin’s aromatic structure. Oxidative depolymerization allows converting lignin into added-value compounds, as phenolic monomers and/or dicarboxylic acids, which could be an excellent alternative to aromatic petrochemicals. However, the major challenge is to enhance the reactivity and selectivity of the lignin structure towards depolymerization and prevent condensation reactions. This review includes a comprehensive overview of the main contributions of lignin valorization through oxidative depolymerization to produce added-value compounds (vanillin and syringaldehyde) that have been developed over the recent decades in the LSRE group. An evaluation of the valuable products obtained from oxidation in an alkaline medium with oxygen of lignins and liquors from different sources and delignification processes is also provided. A review of C₄ dicarboxylic acids obtained from lignin oxidation is also included, emphasizing catalytic conversion by O₂ or H₂O₂ oxidation.     

催化一步转化木质素单体为苯酚:建立木质素到高附加值化学品的通道（英文）

木质素是地球上产量最大的芳香类有机高分子,其有效转化利用在近年来备受关注.催化降解木质素制备酚类单体在过去十年取得了长足进步,目前已开发出氢解、水解、热解、氧化、光解等一系列方法.通过加氢脱氧法可以将木质素的降解产物转化为烃类燃料,但该过程耗氢量大,并且芳香环在加氢气氛下被破坏.另一个可能的应用是将木质素衍生物进一步转化为高附加值的芳香族化合物,但解聚产物成分复杂,成为木质素高效转化为单一高附加值化学品的瓶颈.在加氢条件下,木质素解聚产物主要为酚类混合物,多在羟基临位带有一至两个甲氧基,并在对位带有C2或C3的取代基(多为烷基).针对这一结构特点,我们设计了新反应路径,通过分别去除甲氧基和烷基得到苯酚.该过程保留了苯酚的基本结构而将其他取代基去除,原理上可以有效的将木质素降解的混合物转化为单一产物苯酚.通过催化剂的筛选和优化,Pt/C催化剂对脱甲氧基显示出最好的活性和选择性,在400°C,常压下脱除效率80%.在流动气氛下连续工作4 h,Pt/C催化剂无失活迹象.H-ZSM-5为最有效的脱烷基催化剂,最优效率83%左右.H-ZSM-5在反应过程中逐渐失活.通过热重差热及红外光谱分析,失活主要原因为积碳.在400°C空气中煅烧后,催化剂可以再生.通过简单的物理混合,Pt/C和H-ZSM-5一步将木质素单体转化为60%的苯酚,显示了该方法直接转化木质素到高附加值苯酚的巨大潜力.这是同时将木质素中甲氧基、烷基选择性脱除的首例报道.经过估算,从原生木质素出发,通过加氢解聚,耦合本文开发的一步脱甲氧基、烷基路径,可将木质素转化为约25%的苯酚.木质素中的甲氧基、烷基将分别转化为甲醇和烯烃,提高了木质素碳资源的利用效率.     

Lignin and Lignin-Derived Compounds for Wood Applications—A Review

Improving the environmental performance of resins in wood treatment by using renewable chemicals has been a topic of interest for a long time. At the same time, lignin, the second most abundant biomass on earth, is produced in large scale as a side product and mainly used energetically. The use of lignin in wood adhesives or for wood modification has received a lot of scientific attention. Despite this, there are only few lignin-derived wood products commercially available. This review provides a summary of the research on lignin application in wood adhesives, as well as for wood modification. The research on the use of uncleaved lignin and of cleavage products of lignin is reviewed. Finally, the current state of the art of commercialization of lignin-derived wood products is presented.     

生物质转化中C―O/C―C键的活化断裂

Sustainable fuels and chemicals are receiving unprecedented attention worldwide in the context of achieving global carbon neutrality. Biomass, as the only natural and sustainable carbon-based source, shows great potential in addressing our current environmental/energy problems and in creating a carbon-neutral society. Lignocellulosic biomass is made up of basic structural units containing C―O/C―C bonds, and the catalytic cleavage of these C―O/C―C bonds is the key for biomass valorization; thus, garnering considerable attention in the past decade. This viewpoint begins with a brief report on the current status of catalytic activation/cleavage of C―O/C―C bonds during biomass conversion, and then goes on to discuss the key challenges experienced and possible strategies that can be implemented using cooperative catalysis. Our goal is not to provide a comprehensive overview of the activation/cleavage of the C―O/C―C bonds in biomass, but rather to highlight the core questions and challenges related to this process and the requirements for future investigations. We selected several representative C―O/C―C bonds in carbohydrates and lignin to discuss their catalytic mechanism in terms of total/selective bond cleavage, and then present our own insights for future studies. Therefore, this article mainly discusses the following two aspects: (1) The activation and cleavage of C―O bonds, which includes total and selective C―O bond cleavage in furan-based fuel precursors and lignin. When aiming to produce liquid fuels, including alkanes and arenes from biomass, the total cleavage of C―O bonds is essential. During the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of furan-based fuel precursors, various C―O bonds need to be cleaved, especially the C―O bond of each tetrahydrofuran ring, which has the highest bond energy. When compared with the total HDO of fuel precursors, the removal of the phenolic hydroxyl groups in lignin to produce arenes is more challenging because of the competition between the over-hydrogenation of the benzene rings and the cleavage of phenolic C―O bonds. The selective or partial cleavage of C―O/C―C bonds to form highly functionalized chemicals has recently attracted great interest and is believed to be a dynamic future research avenue. For example, the production of phenol from lignin or lignin-model compounds, through the selective removal of methoxy groups and para-side-chain groups, while preserving the phenolic hydroxyl groups, has been extensively explored in the past few years. (2) The other important aspect of this article is the cleavage of the C―C bonds in carbohydrates and lignin. The cleavage of carbohydrate C―C bonds occurs via retro-aldol condensation, which produces propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, ethanol, and lactic acid. The cleavage of C―C bonds in lignin is challenging because the bond energy of the C―C bonds is generally higher than that of the C―O bonds in lignin. Therefore, in this section, we discuss the cleavage of the strongest 5―5' bond in lignin. Finally, some subjective perspectives and future directions are provided, also highlighting several major challenges in this field.      

生物质转化中C―O/C―C键的活化断裂

生物质作为自然界中唯一可持续的有机碳来源,在解决环境和能源问题、创建一个碳中和的社会方面展现出巨大的潜力。木质生物质是由具有C―O/C―C键的基本结构单元构成的高分子化合物,活化、断裂这些C―O/C―C键是生物质高值化利用的关键,因此在过去十年中受到了广泛的关注。本文首先简要综述了生物质转化中C―O/C―C键催化断裂的现状,主要关注C―O/C―C键断裂的关键挑战和现有策略。我们的目标不是全面概述C―O/C―C键活化断裂的现况,而是提出与C―O/C―C键断裂相关的核心问题并且对未来的研究作出展望。我们选择了碳水化合物和木质素中几种具有代表性的C―O/C―C键来讨论它们在不同情况下协同催化断裂的机理,然后对未来的研究提出自己的见解。     

Lignin‐based polymers via graft copolymerization

Lignin is an important source of synthetic materials because of its abundance in nature, low cost, stable supply, and no competition to the human food supply. Lignin, a cross‐linked phenolic polymer, contains a large number of aromatic groups that can be used as a substitute for petroleum‐based aromatic fine chemicals. However, modification of lignin is necessary for its application in advanced materials due to its chemically inert nature and structural complexity. Polymeric modification of lignin via graft copolymerization represents an important avenue for modification because this method forms stable covalent bond linkages between lignin and synthetic functional polymers. In this review, we discuss recent synthetic strategies toward polymeric modification of lignin using graft copolymerization and the special properties and applications of the produced lignin copolymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3515–3528     

Molybdenum-Catalyzed Deoxygenation Coupling of Lignin-Derived Alcohols for Functionalized Bibenzyl Chemicals

With the growing demand for sustainability and reducing CO₂ footprint, lignocellulosic biomass has attracted much attention as a renewable, carbon-neutral and low-cost feedstock for the production of chemicals and fuels. To realize efficient utilization of biomass resource, it is essential to selectively alter the high degree of oxygen functionality of biomass-derivates. Herein, we introduced a novel procedure to transform renewable lignin-derived alcohols to various functionalized bibenzyl chemicals. This strategy relied on a short deoxygenation coupling pathway with economical molybdenum catalyst. A well-designed H-donor experiment was performed to investigate the mechanism of this Mo-catalyzed process. It was proven that benzyl carbon-radical was the most possible intermediate to form the bibenzyl products. It was also discovered that the para methoxy and phenolic hydroxyl groups could stabilize the corresponding radical intermediates and then facilitate to selectively obtain bibenzyl products. Our research provides a promising application to produce functionalized aromatics from biomass-derived materials.     

Novel Catalytic Systems to Convert Chitin and Lignin into Valuable Chemicals

This review briefs the emerging strategies for the designing of catalysts and catalytic systems to upgrade waste biomass into value-added chemicals, with an emphasis on the efforts and advances in our group. The review covers the valorization of chitin and lignin materials, which are most abundant N-containing and the most abundant aromatic polymers, respectively. In the chitin part, we show case existing examples on chitin monomer and chitin transformation into renewable, N-containing chemicals. Oxidation, hydrolysis, dehydration reactions will be introduced. In lignin part we mainly introduce novel catalyst for lignin hydrogenolysis, in particular Ni based monometallic and bimetallic catalysts. The structure–activity correlations will be discussed in detail. We finally describe some of the undergoing works in the group and highlight a few potential directions worth investigation in the future.     

Isolation of Functionalized Phenolic Monomers through Selective Oxidation and CO Bond Cleavage of the β‐O‐4 Linkages in Lignin

Functionalized phenolic monomers have been generated and isolated from an organosolv lignin through a two‐step depolymerization process. Chemoselective catalytic oxidation of β‐O‐4 linkages promoted by the DDQ/tBuONO/O₂ system was achieved in model compounds, including polymeric models and in real lignin. The oxidized β‐O‐4 linkages were then cleaved on reaction with zinc. Compared to many existing methods, this protocol, which can be achieved in one pot, is highly selective, giving rise to a simple mixture of products that can be readily purified to give pure compounds. The functionality present in these products makes them potentially valuable building blocks.     

Isolation of Functionalized Phenolic Monomers through Selective Oxidation and C?O Bond Cleavage of the β‐O‐4 Linkages in Lignin

Functionalized phenolic monomers have been generated and isolated from an organosolv lignin through a two‐step depolymerization process. Chemoselective catalytic oxidation of β‐O‐4 linkages promoted by the DDQ/tBuONO/O₂ system was achieved in model compounds, including polymeric models and in real lignin. The oxidized β‐O‐4 linkages were then cleaved on reaction with zinc. Compared to many existing methods, this protocol, which can be achieved in one pot, is highly selective, giving rise to a simple mixture of products that can be readily purified to give pure compounds. The functionality present in these products makes them potentially valuable building blocks.     

Lignin as a Natural Carrier for the Efficient Delivery of Bioactive Compounds: From Waste to Health

Lignin is a fascinating aromatic biopolymer with high valorization potentiality. Besides its extensive value in the biorefinery context, as a renewable source of aromatics lignin is currently under evaluation for its huge potential in biomedical applications. Besides the specific antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of lignin, that depend on its source and isolation procedure, remarkable progress has been made, over the last five years, in the isolation, functionalization and modification of lignin and lignin-derived compounds to use as carriers for biologically active substances. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of the art in the field of lignin-based carrier systems, highlighting the most important results. Furthermore, the possibilities and constraints related to the physico–chemical properties of the lignin source will be reviewed herein as well as the modifications and processing required to make lignin suitable for the loading and release of active compounds.     

Effects of lignin on the ionic-liquid assisted catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose: chemical inhibition by lignin

The production of cellulose-derived biofuels and biochemicals, such as bioalcohols and bioplastics, from lignocellulose requires the isolation of cellulose by lignin removal or delignification processes. While the remaining lignin and its phenolic fragments have been reported to inhibit the biological conversion of cellulose, we observed that the catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose also can be inhibited most likely because of an associative interaction between cellulose and lignin. The associative interaction between cellulose and the functional groups of lignin was proven by gel-permeation-chromatography measurement of regenerated mixtures of lignin and cellulose which simulate the lignocellulose-derived cellulose containing lignin as an impurity. Chemical bonds between cellulose and lignin were hypothesized using lignin model compounds containing known functionalities such as hydroxyl, methoxy, phenyl, allyl, and carboxyl groups in order to explain the effects of lignin on the hydrolysis of cellulose. The yield of glucose from cellulose dropped when carboxylic and hydroxyl groups were present possibly because of the formation of ether and ester bonds between the lignin and cellulose. These observations may help develop the chemical processes and therefore convert the inedible biomass resource of lignocellulose-based cellulose containing lignin and its derivatives to the valuable fuels and chemicals.     

Lignin Biodegradation by a Cytochrome P450 Enzyme: A Computational Study into Syringol Activation by GcoA

A recently characterized cytochrome P450 isozyme GcoA activates lignin components through a selective O-demethylation or alternatively an acetal formation reaction. These are important reactions in biotechnology and, because lignin is readily available; it being the main component in plant cell walls. In this work we present a density functional theory study on a large active site model of GcoA to investigate syringol activation by an iron(IV)-oxo heme cation radical oxidant (Compound I) leading to hemiacetal and acetal products. Several substrate-binding positions were tested and full energy landscapes calculated. The study shows that substrate positioning determines the product distributions. Thus, with the phenol group pointing away from the heme, an O-demethylation is predicted, whereas an initial hydrogen-atom abstraction of the weak phenolic O-H group would trigger a pathway leading to ring-closure to form acetal products. Predictions on how to engineer P450 GcoA to get more selective product distributions are given.     

Size-exclusion chromatography of the soluble lignin products from hydrogen peroxide brightening of mechanical pulps

The molar mass distributions and yields of soluble lignin degradation products formed during the alkaline hydrogen peroxide brightening of spruce mechanical pulp have been determined. These distributions depend on pH, the extent to which the pulp was subjected to solvent extractions, H₂O₂ concentration and reaction time. At and below pH 11, there is an excellent correlation between the brightness and b values on pulp and the amounts of residual peroxide and lignin derived products in solution. Brightening reactions lead primarily to products with intermediate molecular mass values between 1500 and 6000. During multistage brightening, the products formed are initially those with high ionizable phenolic hydroxyl and low carbohydrate contents, and carbonyl-containing moieties. NMR and UV spectroscopic analysis show that products formed include lignin and carbohydrate-containing species. The lignin-originating products from the later stages contain a lower relative concentration of ionizable phenolic groups and more visible-absorbing and carbohydrate-containing species. Brightness and b gains during multistage brightening were exponential with product yield.     

On the mechanism of the laccase-mediator system in the oxidation of lignin

In an effort to elucidate the role of phenolic and non-phenolic lignin subunits in a laccase mediator (LM) system, vanillyl alcohol was oxidized with laccase in the presence and absence of the mediator 1-hydroxybenzotriazol (HBT). Furthermore, the role of phenolic, aliphatic hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid moieties in lignin degradation was elucidated by selectively blocking them. The modified samples were then subjected to laccase and laccase-HBT treatments. On the basis of this data it was possible to establish the role of this mediator. HBT mediates the oxidation of lignin by inducing side-chain oxidation and oxygen-addition products rather than oxidative coupling reactions.     

Design and Catalytic Application of Functional Porous Organic Polymers: Opportunities and Challenges

This review article encompasses the progress and conventional overview of current research activities of porous organic polymers (POPs), especially in catalysis, as they have garnered colossal interest in the scientific fraternity due to their intriguing characteristic features. Various synthetic strategies with possible modification of functionality of POPs have been used to improve the catalytic efficiency towards value‐added chemicals production. Accordingly, this review article is mainly focused on the design, development of various functionalized POPs by employing Friedel‐Crafts alkylation, FeCl₃ assisted oxidative polymerisation and polymerisation in nonaqueous medium, and a comprehensive understanding in potential catalytic applications namely, acetalization, hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), hydrogenation, coupling, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and biomass conversion towards the production of value‐added chemicals in biodiesel and chemical industries.     

The catalytic oxidation of biomass to new materials focusing on starch,cellulose and lignin

Biomass is a renewable class of materials of growing interest amongst researchers aiming to achieve global sustainability. This review focuses on the homogeneous catalysis of the oxidation of biomass, in particular starch, cellulose and lignin. Often such catalytic reactions lead to depolymerisation of the material as happens in Nature with for example brown rot fungi. This depolymerisation can be desirable or not, and control in industrial applications is thus important to obtain the desired outcome. The two main oxidants in use are O₂ and H₂O₂ and their use is described as appropriate. Industrial oxidation catalysis is highly significant in the bleaching of cellulose-containing materials due to its high volume application in the paper, pulp and laundry industries. Here, the presence of a ligand on the oxidising metal ion has a significant effect on the catalyst selectivity and stability. In addition to the bleaching of cellulose-containing materials, the oxidation of cellulose, starch, lignin and lignin model compounds are discussed with a focus on generating even more hydrophilic materials which have important applications or materials which may be further modified. Finally developing applications of biomass are described such as new support materials for catalysts, as supports for sensors and nanomaterials for microbial culture.     

Depolymerization of Organosolv Lignin over Silica-alumina Catalysts

E cient conversion of lignin to fine chemicals and biofuel become more and more attractive in biorefinery. In this work, we used a series of silica-alumina catalysts (i.e., SiO₂-Al₂O₃, HY, Hβ, and HZSM-5) to degrade lignin into arenes and phenols. The relationship between the catalyst structure and lignin depolymerization performance was investigated. The results showed that both acidity and pore size of the catalyst could in uence the conversion of lignin. In the volatilizable product, phenols were identified as the main phenolic monomers via gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. SiO₂-Al₂O₃ was the most effcient catalyst, giving 90.96% degree of conversion, 12.91% yield of phenols, and 2.41% yield of arenes in ethanol at 280℃ for 4 h. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that deoxygenation and alkylation occurred in this process. The effect of solvents was also investigated and the results showed that ethanol was the most effcient solvent.