title: An efficient and economical process for lignin depolymerization in biomass-derived solvent tetrahydrofuran.
abstract: The depolymerization of renewable lignin for phenolic monomer, a versatile biochemical and precursor for biofuel, has attracted increasing attention. Here, an efficient base-catalyzed depolymerization process for this natural aromatic polymer is presented with cheap industrial solid alkali MgO and biomass-derived solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF). Results showed that more than 13.2% of phenolic monomers were obtained under 250°C for 15 min, because of the excellent lignin dissolution of THF and its promotion effect on the catalytic activity of MgO. Furthermore, comparison characterization on the raw material, products and residual solid using elemental analysis, FT-IR, TG-DSC, Py-GC-MS and chemo-physical absorption and desorption demonstrated that this base-catalyzed process can inhibit char formation significantly. Whereas, the fact that thermal repolymerization of oligomer on the pore and surface of catalyst resulting in the declination of the catalytic performance is responsible for the residue formation.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
authors.forename: Jinxing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China. Electronic address: wangtj@ms.giec.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Tiejun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
authors.forename: Xinghua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China. Electronic address: mall@ms.giec.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Longlong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D002384:Catalysis / Q000187:drug effects; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D058105:Polymerization / Q000187:drug effects*; D012997:Solvents; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014835:Volatilization / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005663:Furans; D012997:Solvents; C018674:tetrahydrofuran; D008031:Lignin
keywords: Depolymerization; Lignin; MgO; Phenolic monomer; Tetrahydrofuran