Catalytic Biorefining of Plant Biomass to Non-Pyrolytic Lignin Bio-Oil and Carbohydrates through Hydrogen Transfer Reactions

Catalytic transformation of carbohydrates and lignin in ionic liquids

Ionic liquids with anions of strong hydrogen-bond basicity have been broadly reported in the literature as effective solvents for the dissolution of the components of lignocellulosic biomass. The key attributes of various ionic liquids are reviewed with a focus on their structural and functional properties related to biomass dissolution capacity. A number of the most studied ionic liquids with ...

In situ catalytic hydrogenation of model compounds and biomass-derived phenolic compounds for bio-oil upgrading

The renewable phenolic compounds produced by directional liquefaction of biomass are a mixture of complete fragments decomposed from native lignin. These compounds are unstable and difficult to use directly as biofuel. Here, we report an efficient in situ catalytic hydrogenation method that can convert phenolic compounds into saturated cyclohexanes. The process has high potential for production...

Materials Produced from Plant Biomass. Part III: Degradation Kinetics and Hydrogen Bonding in Lignin

In this study Klason lignins from Eucalyptus grandis (LEUG) and Pinus taeda (LPIT) were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetry (TGA). The degradation kinetic parameters were determined by TGA using the Kissinger method. Thermogravimetric results showed that LPIT had higher thermal stability and also higher activation energy than LEUG. FTIR result...

Enantioselective Nazarov reactions through catalytic asymmetric proton transfer.

The development of catalytic asymmetric Nazarov reactions that require only 10 mol % of chiral Lewis acid and proceed with ee's between 72% and 97% is described.

Upgrading Biomass Pyrolysis Bio-oil to Renewable Fuels