Themed collection Lignin chemistry and valorisation

23 items
Editorial

Unlocking the potential of a sleeping giant: lignins as sustainable raw materials for renewable fuels, chemicals and materials

Editorial article to accompany the Green Chemistry themed issue ‘Lignin Chemistry and Valorisation’.

Graphical abstract: Unlocking the potential of a sleeping giant: lignins as sustainable raw materials for renewable fuels, chemicals and materials
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Critical Review

Thermochemical conversion of lignin to functional materials: a review and future directions

The naturally abundant lignin offers a sustainable platform for the synthesis of functional carbon materials which have been widely used in catalysis, energy storage, and pollutant removal.

Graphical abstract: Thermochemical conversion of lignin to functional materials: a review and future directions
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Critical Review

Thermal properties of lignin in copolymers, blends, and composites: a review

Modulating thermal properties via lignin copolymers, blends, and composites.

Graphical abstract: Thermal properties of lignin in copolymers, blends, and composites: a review
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Communication

Fractionation of lignin from eucalyptus bark using amine-sulfonate functionalized ionic liquids

Amine-sulfonate functionalized ionic liquids not only dissolve industrial lignin materials like kraft lignin and lignosulfonate, but also offer unique selectivity and efficiency in fractionating lignin from eucalyptus bark.

Graphical abstract: Fractionation of lignin from eucalyptus bark using amine-sulfonate functionalized ionic liquids
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Communication

Base-catalysed cleavage of lignin β-O-4 model compounds in dimethyl carbonate

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was used as solvent and non-toxic capping agent in a base-catalysed selective cleavage of lignin model compounds.

Graphical abstract: Base-catalysed cleavage of lignin β-O-4 model compounds in dimethyl carbonate
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Mechanistic investigation of the Zn/Pd/C catalyzed cleavage and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin

While current biorefinery processes use lignin only for its heat value, the conversion of lignin to high value chemicals is an area of increasing interest.

Graphical abstract: Mechanistic investigation of the Zn/Pd/C catalyzed cleavage and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Hydrolytic liquefaction of hydrolysis lignin for the preparation of bio-based rigid polyurethane foam

Hydrolysis lignin (HL) was liquefied employing 50/50 (v/v) water–ethanol mixture for the preparation of bio-based polyols/rigid polyurethane foams.

Graphical abstract: Hydrolytic liquefaction of hydrolysis lignin for the preparation of bio-based rigid polyurethane foam
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Open Access Paper

Reductive deconstruction of organosolv lignin catalyzed by zeolite supported nickel nanoparticles

Breaking good: In situ ATR-IR spectroscopy tracked the Ni catalyzed deconstruction and hydrodeoxygenation of organosolv lignin in n-hexadecane, towards the production of naphthenes.

Graphical abstract: Reductive deconstruction of organosolv lignin catalyzed by zeolite supported nickel nanoparticles
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Path to plastics composed of ligninsulphonates (lignosulfonates)

In tensile behaviour, polymeric materials containing only methylated ball-milled lignin surpass polystyrene, while 85% w/w ligninsulphonate blends approach polyethylene.

Graphical abstract: Path to plastics composed of ligninsulphonates (lignosulfonates)
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Lignin isolation from spruce wood with low concentration aqueous alkali at high temperature and pressure: influence of hot-water pre-extraction

Lignin was successfully isolated from spruce wood with an accelerated solvent extractor using low concentration aqueous NaOH as an extraction solvent. The biorefinery concept was also applied.

Graphical abstract: Lignin isolation from spruce wood with low concentration aqueous alkali at high temperature and pressure: influence of hot-water pre-extraction
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Influence of bio-based solvents on the catalytic reductive fractionation of birch wood

In the reductive catalytic fractionation of lignocellulose, the choice of solvent significantly impacts the delignification efficiency, carbohydrate retention in the pulp and the macrostructure of the pulp.

Graphical abstract: Influence of bio-based solvents on the catalytic reductive fractionation of birch wood
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Open Access Paper

Structural changes in lignins isolated using an acidic ionic liquid water mixture

Recently, acidic ionic liquid water mixtures based on the hydrogen sulfate anion have been shown to effectively extract lignin from lignocellulosic biomass.

Graphical abstract: Structural changes in lignins isolated using an acidic ionic liquid water mixture
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Open Access Paper

Efficient catalytic hydrotreatment of Kraft lignin to alkylphenolics using supported NiW and NiMo catalysts in supercritical methanol

Efficient catalytic hydrotreatment of Kraft lignin to yield aromatic monomers was demonstrated in supercritical methanol using a variety of NiW and NiMo catalysts on acidic, basic and neutral supports.

Graphical abstract: Efficient catalytic hydrotreatment of Kraft lignin to alkylphenolics using supported NiW and NiMo catalysts in supercritical methanol
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Oxidative conversion of lignin and lignin model compounds catalyzed by CeO2-supported Pd nanoparticles

Pd/CeO2 efficiently catalyzes the oxidative conversion of 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol, a lignin model compound with a β-O-4 linkage, in methanol, producing monomeric aromatics.

Graphical abstract: Oxidative conversion of lignin and lignin model compounds catalyzed by CeO2-supported Pd nanoparticles
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Iron-catalysed oxidative cleavage of lignin and β-O-4 lignin model compounds with peroxides in DMSO

Simple FeCl3-derived iron catalysts are used for the cleavage of lignin and β-O-4 lignin model compounds.

Graphical abstract: Iron-catalysed oxidative cleavage of lignin and β-O-4 lignin model compounds with peroxides in DMSO
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Solvent free depolymerization of Kraft lignin to alkyl-phenolics using supported NiMo and CoMo catalysts

The catalytic hydrotreatment of Kraft lignin using sulfided NiMo and CoMo catalysts on different acidic and basic supports (Al2O3, ZSM-5, activated carbon (AC) and MgO-La2O3) was studied in the absence of a solvent.

Graphical abstract: Solvent free depolymerization of Kraft lignin to alkyl-phenolics using supported NiMo and CoMo catalysts
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Open Access Paper

The synthesis and analysis of advanced lignin model polymers

Advanced lignin model polymers have been synthesised to aid in the development of new methods for lignin valorisation.

Graphical abstract: The synthesis and analysis of advanced lignin model polymers
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Reversible crosslinking of lignin via the furan–maleimide Diels–Alder reaction

Lignoboost lignin was independently functionalized with furan and maleimide groups. Taken together, these functionalized lignins show all the features of reversible networks.

Graphical abstract: Reversible crosslinking of lignin via the furan–maleimide Diels–Alder reaction
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Open Access Paper

Exploring glutathione lyases as biocatalysts: paving the way for enzymatic lignin depolymerization and future stereoselective applications

One pot – two enzymes. The combination of β-etherases with glutathione lyases enables the selective cleavage of lignin model compounds. Protein engineering of glutathione lyases allows modification of activity and stereoselectivity.

Graphical abstract: Exploring glutathione lyases as biocatalysts: paving the way for enzymatic lignin depolymerization and future stereoselective applications
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Biocatalytic conversion of lignin to aromatic dicarboxylic acids in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 by re-routing aromatic degradation pathways

A gene insertion approach is used in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 to generate pyridine-dicarboxylic acid bioproducts from lignin.

Graphical abstract: Biocatalytic conversion of lignin to aromatic dicarboxylic acids in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 by re-routing aromatic degradation pathways
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Selective oxidative C–C bond cleavage of a lignin model compound in the presence of acetic acid with a vanadium catalyst

The solvent has great effects on vanadium-catalyzed oxidative C–C bond cleavage of 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol with molecular oxygen.

Graphical abstract: Selective oxidative C–C bond cleavage of a lignin model compound in the presence of acetic acid with a vanadium catalyst
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Open Access Paper

Ethanol as capping agent and formaldehyde scavenger for efficient depolymerization of lignin to aromatics

High monomer yield (60–86 wt%) with little char formation is possible from lignin. Ethanol acts as capping agent of aromatics, as formaldehyde scavenger and hydrogen source, prevent repolymerization.

Graphical abstract: Ethanol as capping agent and formaldehyde scavenger for efficient depolymerization of lignin to aromatics
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
Paper

Towards lignin consolidated bioprocessing: simultaneous lignin depolymerization and product generation by bacteria

Lignin Consolidated Bioprocessing utilizes microbes that simultaneously depolymerize lignin and convert the resulting aromatic compounds to fuel and chemical precursors.

Graphical abstract: Towards lignin consolidated bioprocessing: simultaneous lignin depolymerization and product generation by bacteria
From the themed collection: Lignin chemistry and valorisation
23 items

About this collection

Efficient production of biobased chemicals, materials and fuels requires the valorisation of lignin, a biopolymer that comprises up to one-third of the composition and one-fourth of the energy content of lignocellulose. The structural complexity and general recalcitrance of this aromatic biopolymer pose considerable challenges to the elucidation and modification of its structure in addition to its valorisation to green products.

Recently, the scientific community has made significant progress in engineering lignin, characterising its structural features, valorising the biopolymer through catalysis, and finding new outlets for the lignin-derived products.

This themed issue highlights the many aspects of lignin research, the advances made in valorisation and the potential of this abundant and critically important feed component of future biorefineries. The guest editors for this themed issue are Professor Bert Weckhuysen (Utrecht University, Netherlands), Dr Pieter Bruijnincx (Utrecht University, Netherlands), and Dr Roberto Rinaldi (Imperial College London, UK).

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