Catalytic hydrogenolysis of lignin-derived compounds using sub-nanometer cobalt catalysts

Abstract

In the quest for sustainable lignin valorization, the development of efficient catalytic systems for hydrogenolysis of lignin-derived compounds remains a pivotal focus. Utilizing sub-nanometer cobalt catalysts, we achieved the successful hydrogenolysis of model lignin molecules, including 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethanone and 2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl), resulting in the formation of highly efficient catalytic species characterized by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). Our catalyst exhibited remarkable recyclability over five cycles. Additionally, we conducted hydrogenolysis tests on authentic lignin samples, shedding light on the promising potential of this approach for sustainable lignin valorization.