Aromatic products of radiation-thermal degradation of lignin and chitin

Lignin and chitin degradation in the high-temperature radiolysis mode at ≤295°C has been investigated. Experimental conditions ensured the removal of low-molecular-weight products from the irradiation zone via volatilization. The formation of the low-molecular-weight aromatic products methoxyphenols and pyridine derivatives from lignin and chitin, respectively, has been shown. The yield of the distillable aromatic products was much higher than in the case of conventional dry distillation. It is noted that the mechanism of high-temperature radiolytic transformations of lignin and chitin differs from the mechanism of thermal transformations, which is due to the thermally stimulated degradation of radiation-induced radicals. It has been shown that high-temperature radiolysis opens a possibility for producing aromatic hydrocarbons at a lower dose rate and at lower temperature in comparison with conventional radiolysis and pyrolysis.