Peroxodicarbonate as a Green Oxidizer for the Selective Degradation of Kraft Lignin into Vanillin

Lignin, the world's largest resource of renewable aromatics, with annually roughly 50 million tons of accruing technical lignin, mainly Kraft lignin, is highly underdeveloped regarding the production of monoaromatics. We demonstrate the oxidative depolymerization of Kraft lignin at 180 °C to produce vanillin 1 in yields up to 6.2 wt % and 92 % referred to the maximum yield gained from the quantification reaction utilizing nitrobenzene. Using peroxodicarbonate (C₂ O₆ ^2- ) as "green" oxidizer for the degradation, toxic and/or harmful reagents are prevented. Also, the formed waste can serve as makeup chemical in the pulping process. Na₂ C₂ O₆ is synthesized in an ex-cell electrolysis of aqueous Na₂ CO₃ at BDD anodes, achieving a yield of Na₂ C₂ O₆ with 41 %. At least, the oxidation and degradation of Kraft lignin is analysis via UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopy.

High-Value Chemicals from Electrocatalytic Depolymerization of Lignin: Challenges and Opportunities

Lignocellulosic biomass is renewable and one of the most abundant sources for the production of high-value chemicals, materials, and fuels. It is of immense importance to develop new efficient technologies for the industrial production of chemicals by utilizing renewable resources. Lignocellulosic biomass can potentially replace fossil-based chemistries. The production of fuel and chemicals from lignin powered by renewable electricity under ambient temperatures and pressures enables a more sustainable way to obtain high-value chemicals. More specifically, in a sustainable biorefinery, it is essential to valorize lignin to enhance biomass transformation technology and increase the overall economy of the process. Strategies regarding electrocatalytic approaches as a way to valorize or depolymerize lignin have attracted significant interest from growing scientific communities over the recent decades. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the electrocatalytic methods for depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass with an emphasis on untargeted depolymerization as well as the selective and targeted mild synthesis of high-value chemicals. Electrocatalytic cleavage of model compounds and further electrochemical upgrading of bio-oils are discussed. Finally, some insights into current challenges and limitations associated with this approach are also summarized.

Atomically Dispersed Pt-N3C1 Sites Enabling Efficient and Selective Electrocatalytic C-C Bond Cleavage in Lignin Models under Ambient Conditions

Selective cleavage of C-C linkages is the key and a challenge for lignin degradation to harvest value-added aromatic compounds. To this end, electrocatalytic oxidation presents a promising technique by virtue of mild reaction conditions and strong sustainability. However, the existing electrocatalysts (traditional bulk metal and metal oxides) for C-C bond oxidative cleavage suffer from poor selectivity and low product yields. We show for the first time that atomically dispersed Pt-N₃C₁ sites planted on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (Pt₁/N-CNTs), constructed via a stepwise polymerization-carbonization-electrostatic adsorption strategy, are highly active and selective toward C_α-C_β bond cleavage in β-O-4 model compounds under ambient conditions. Pt₁/N-CNTs exhibits 99% substrate conversion with 81% yield of benzaldehyde, which is exceptional and unprecedented compared with previously reported electrocatalysts. Moreover, Pt₁/N-CNTs using only 0.41 wt % Pt achieved a much higher benzaldehyde yield than those of the state-of-the-art bulk Pt electrode (100 wt % Pt) and commercial Pt/C catalyst (20 wt % Pt). Systematic experimental investigation together with density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggests that the superior performance of Pt₁/N-CNTs arises from the atomically dispersed Pt-N₃C₁ sites facilitating the formation of a key C_β radical intermediate, further inducing a radical/radical cross-coupling path to break the C_α-C_β bond. This work opens up opportunities in lignin valorization via a green and sustainable electrochemical route with ultralow noble metal usage.

Electro-oxidative depolymerisation of technical lignin in water using platinum, nickel oxide hydroxide and graphite electrodes

In order to improve the lignin exploitation to added-value bioproducts, a mild chemical conversion route based on electrochemistry was investigated.

Greener Routes to Biomass Waste Valorization: Lignin Transformation Through Electrocatalysis for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels Production

Lignin valorization is essential for biorefineries to produce fuels and chemicals for a sustainable future. Today's biorefineries pursue profitable value propositions for cellulose and hemicellulose; however, lignin is typically used mainly for its thermal energy value. To enhance the profit potential for biorefineries, lignin valorization would be a necessary practice. Lignin valorization is greatly advantaged when biomass carbon is retained in the fuel and chemical products and when energy quality is enhanced by electrochemical upgrading. Though lignin upgrading and valorization are very desirable in principle, many barriers involved in lignin pretreatment, extraction, and depolymerization must be overcome to unlock its full potential. This Review addresses the electrochemical transformation of various lignins with the aim of gaining a better understanding of many of the barriers that currently exist in such technologies. These studies give insight into electrochemical lignin depolymerization and upgrading to value-added commodities with the end goal of achieving a global low-carbon circular economy.

Electrochemical Lignin Conversion

Lignin is the largest source of renewable aromatic compounds, making the recovery of aromatic compounds from this material a significant scientific goal. Recently, many studies have reported on lignin depolymerization and upgrading strategies. Electrochemical approaches are considered to be low cost, reagent free, and environmentally friendly, and can be carried out under mild reaction conditions. In this Review, different electrochemical lignin conversion strategies, including electrooxidation, electroreduction, hybrid electro-oxidation and reduction, and combinations of electrochemical and other processes (e. g., biological, solar) for lignin depolymerization and upgrading are discussed in detail. In addition to lignin conversion, electrochemical lignin fractionation from biomass and black liquor is also briefly discussed. Finally, the outlook and challenges for electrochemical lignin conversion are presented.

One-pot synthesis of β-O-4 lignin models via the insertion of stable 2-diazo-1,3-dicarbonyls into O-H bonds

Because lignin is a macromolecule that is a sustainable source of aromatic compounds, model substrates are commonly used to increase our understanding of its complex structure. However, few methods have been described for the synthesis of these models. Herein, we describe a new route towards the synthesis of β-O-4 lignin models by intermolecular O-H insertion reactions with simple and stable diazocarbonyls. The benefits of this developed method were shorter reaction times and high yields, as well as mild and environmentally friendly conditions.

Electrochemical oxidation mechanisms for selective products due to C-O and C-C cleavages of β-O-4 linkages in lignin model compounds

Electrochemical oxidation is a promising and effective method for lignin depolymerization owing to its selective oxidation capacity and environmental friendliness. Herein, the electrooxidation of non-phenolic alkyl aryl ether monomers and β-O-4 dimers was experimentally (by cyclic voltammetry, in situ spectroelectrochemistry, and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy) and theoretically (by DFT calculations) explored in detail. Compared to the reported literature (T. Shiraishi, T. Takano, H. Kamitakahara and F. Nakatsubo, Holzforschung, 2012, 66(3), 303-309), 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)ethanol showed a distinguishable oxidation pathway, where the resulting carbonyl product surprisingly underwent a bond cleavage on alkyl-aryl ether to ultimately produce a quinoid like compound. In contrast, β-O-4 dimers, like 2-phenoxy-1-phenethanol and 2-phenoxyacetophenone also demonstrated electrochemical oxidation induced by C_β-O and C_α-C_β bond cleavages. For the oxidation products, the presence of the C_α-hydroxyl group in dimers was the key to selectively generate aldehyde-containing species under mild electrochemical conditions, otherwise it produces alcohol-containing products following a different mechanism compared to the C_α[double bond, length as m-dash]O containing dimers.

Electro-organic synthesis - a 21st century technique

The severe limitations of fossil fuels and finite resources influence the scientific community to reconsider chemical synthesis and establish sustainable techniques. Several promising methods have emerged, and electro-organic conversion has attracted particular attention from international academia and industry as an environmentally benign and cost-effective technique. The easy application, precise control, and safe conversion of substrates with intermediates only accessible by this method reveal novel pathways in synthetic organic chemistry. The popularity of electricity as a reagent is accompanied by the feasible conversion of bio-based feedstocks to limit the carbon footprint. Several milestones have been achieved in electro-organic conversion at rapid frequency, which have opened up various perspectives for forthcoming processes.

An approach for in situ qualitative and quantitative analysis of moisture adsorption in nanogram-scaled lignin by using micro-FTIR spectroscopy and partial least squares regression

Moisture sorption has a great impact on the mechanical properties of lignin. To better characterize the moisture sorption of lignin, an approach for in situ qualitative and quantitative analysis of moisture adsorption in nanogram-scaled lignin by using micro-FTIR spectroscopy and partial least squares regression is introduced in this study. Spectra of nanogram-scaled lignin were collected within the relative humidity (RH) of 0%-92%. A qualitative analysis of these measured spectra confirmed the effective water sorption sites and determined spectral ranges related to moisture adsorption. Using these identified spectral ranges, a quantitative forecasting model for the moisture content (MC) of lignin was built and developed according to partial least square regression (R², 0.9996; RMSECV, 0.408; RMSEP, 0.118). Furthermore, the water sorption isotherm of lignin was acquired using the established forecasting model in which a very positive correlation between the estimated and measured MCs was demonstrated using a dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) setup. The results confirmed the practicability and effectiveness of this in situ qualitative and quantitative analysis approach.

Hydrotreatment of Kraft Lignin to Alkylphenolics and Aromatics Using Ni, Mo, and W Phosphides Supported on Activated Carbon

The conversion of lignin to biofuels and biobased chemicals is currently attracting a lot of attention. We here report on the valorization of Kraft lignin by a catalytic hydrotreatment using Ni, Mo, and W phosphide catalysts supported on activated carbon in the absence of an external solvent. Experiments were carried out in a batch setup in the temperature range of 400-500 °C and 100 bar initial H₂ pressure. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, and transmission electron microscopy. The lignin oils were analyzed extensively by different techniques such as GPC, GC-MS-FID, ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis. Two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC-FID) was applied to identify and quantify distinct groups of compounds (aromatics, alkylphenolics, alkanes, etc.). Mo-based catalysts displayed higher activity compared to the W-containing catalysts. The reaction parameters such as the effect of reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst loading were studied for two catalysts (15MoP/AC and 20NiMoP/AC), and optimized reaction conditions regarding yields of monomeric components were identified (400 °C, 100 bar H₂ at RT, 10 wt % catalyst loading on lignin intake). The highest monomer yield (45.7 wt % on lignin) was obtained for the 20NiMoP/AC (Ni 5.6 wt %, Mo 9.1 wt %, P 5.9 wt %) catalyst, which includes 25% alkylphenolics, 8.7% aromatics, and 9.9% alkanes. Our results clearly reveal that the phosphide catalysts are highly efficient catalyst to depolymerize the Kraft lignin to valuable biobased chemicals and outperform sulfided NiMo catalysts (monomer yield on lignin < 30 wt %).

Modern Electrochemical Aspects for the Synthesis of Value-Added Organic Products

The use of electricity instead of stoichiometric amounts of oxidizers or reducing agents in synthesis is very appealing for economic and ecological reasons, and represents a major driving force for research efforts in this area. To use electron transfer at the electrode for a successful transformation in organic synthesis, the intermediate radical (cation/anion) has to be stabilized. Its combination with other approaches in organic chemistry or concepts of contemporary synthesis allows the establishment of powerful synthetic methods. The aim in the 21st Century will be to use as little fossil carbon as possible and, for this reason, the use of renewable sources is becoming increasingly important. The direct conversion of renewables, which have previously mainly been incinerated, is of increasing interest. This Review surveys many of the recent seminal important developments which will determine the future of this dynamic emerging field.

Lignin Valorization: Two Hybrid Biochemical Routes for the Conversion of Polymeric Lignin into Value-added Chemicals

Naturally, many aerobic organisms degrade lignin-derived aromatics through conserved intermediates including protocatechuate and catechol. Employing this microbial approach offers a potential solution for valorizing lignin into valuable chemicals for a potential lignocellulosic biorefinery and enabling bioeconomy. In this study, two hybrid biochemical routes combining lignin chemical depolymerization, plant metabolic engineering, and synthetic pathway reconstruction were demonstrated for valorizing lignin into value-added products. In the biochemical route 1, alkali lignin was chemically depolymerized into vanillin and syringate as major products, which were further bio-converted into cis, cis-muconic acid (ccMA) and pyrogallol, respectively, using engineered Escherichia coli strains. In the second biochemical route, the shikimate pathway of Tobacco plant was engineered to accumulate protocatechuate (PCA) as a soluble intermediate compound. The PCA extracted from the engineered Tobacco was further converted into ccMA using the engineered E. coli strain. This study reports a direct process for converting lignin into ccMA and pyrogallol as value-added chemicals, and more importantly demonstrates benign methods for valorization of polymeric lignin that is inherently heterogeneous and recalcitrant. Our approach also validates the promising combination of plant engineering with microbial chassis development for the production of value added and speciality chemicals.

Study on the cleavage of alkyl-O-aryl bonds by in situ generated hydroxyl radicals on an ORR cathode

˙OH selectively attacks the active sites opposite to phenolic hydroxyl groups and leads to bond-cleavage of ether bonds.

Isolation and characterization of Burkholderia sp. strain CCA53 exhibiting ligninolytic potential

Microbial degradation of lignin releases fermentable sugars, effective utilization of which could support biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass. In the present study, a lignin-degrading bacterium was isolated from leaf soil and identified as Burkholderia sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This strain was named CCA53, and its lignin-degrading capability was assessed by observing its growth on medium containing alkali lignin or lignin-associated aromatic monomers as the sole carbon source. Alkali lignin and at least eight lignin-associated aromatic monomers supported growth of this strain, and the most effective utilization was observed for p-hydroxybenzene monomers. These findings indicate that Burkholderia sp. strain CCA53 has fragmentary activity for lignin degradation.

Electrochemical removal of carbamazepine in water with Ti/PbO2 cylindrical mesh anode

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is one of the most frequently detected organic compounds in the aquatic environment. Due to its bio-persistence and toxicity for humans and the environment its removal has become an important issue. The performance of the electrochemical oxidation process and in situ production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as O3 and H2O2, for CBZ removal have been studied using Ti/PbO2 cylindrical mesh anode in the presence of Na2SO4 as supporting electrolyte in a batch electrochemical reactor. In this integrated process, direct oxidation at anode and indirect oxidation by in situ electrogenerated ROS can occur simultaneously. The effect of several factors such as electrolysis time, current intensity, initial pH and oxygen flux was investigated by means of an experimental design methodology, using a 2(4) factorial matrix. CBZ removal of 83.93% was obtained and the most influential parameters turned out to be electrolysis time, current intensity and oxygen flux. Later, the optimal experimental values for CBZ degradation were obtained by means of a central composite design. The best operating conditions, analyzed by Design Expert(®) software, are the following: 110 min of electrolysis at 3.0 A, pH = 7.05 and 2.8 L O2/min. Under these optimal conditions, the model prediction (82.44%) fits very well with the experimental response (83.90 ± 0.8%). Furthermore, chemical oxygen demand decrease was quantified. Our results illustrated significant removal efficiency for the CBZ in optimized condition with second order kinetic reaction.

Metallo-deuteroporphyrin as a biomimetic catalyst for the catalytic oxidation of lignin to aromatics

A series of metallo-deuteroporphyrins derived from hemin were prepared as models of the cytochrome P450 enzyme. With the aid of the highly active Co(II) deuteroporphyrin complex, the catalytic oxidation system was applied for the oxidation of several lignin model compounds, and high yields of monomeric products were obtained under mild reaction conditions. It was found that the modified cobalt deuteroporphyrin that has no substituents at the meso sites but does have the disulfide linkage in the propionate side chains at the β sites exhibited much higher activity and stability than the synthetic tetraphenylporphyrin. The changes in the propionate side chains can divert the reactivity of cobalt deuteroporphyrins from the typical CC bond cleavage to CO bond cleavage. Furthermore, this novel oxidative system can convert enzymolysis lignin into depolymerized products including a significant portion of well-defined aromatic monomers.

Preparation and characterization of flame retardant polyurethane foams containing phosphorus–nitrogen-functionalized lignin

Lignin-based phosphate melamine was used as a partial substitute for polyols to synthesize rigid polyurethane foams which exhibit high mechanical strength and low flammability.