title: Depolymerization of organosolv lignin using doped porous metal oxides in supercritical methanol.
abstract: An isolated, solvent-extracted lignin from candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) biomass was subjected to catalytic depolymerization in the presence of supercritical methanol, using a range of porous metal oxides derived from hydrotalcite-like precursors. The most effective catalysts in terms of lignin conversion to methanol-soluble products, without char formation, were based on copper in combination with other dopants based on relatively earth-abundant metals. Nearly complete conversion of lignin to bio-oil composed of monomers and low-mass oligomers with high aromatic content was obtained in 6h at 310°C using a catalyst based on a Cu- and La-doped hydrotalcite-like precursor. Product mixtures were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and GC-MS.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, 225 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Genoa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, 225 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States; Technical University of Denmark, Department of Chemistry, Centre for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Denmark, Department of Chemistry, Centre for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riisager
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, 225 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Evan S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Beach
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, 225 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barta
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, 225 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, United States. Electronic address: paul.anastas@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Anastas
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D019665:Euphorbiaceae; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D003300:Copper; D008031:Lignin; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Bio-oil; Catalysis; Lignin; Porous metal oxides; Supercritical solvents