Selective production of arenes via direct lignin upgrading over a niobium-based catalyst

Yi Shao, Qineng Xia, Lin Dong, Xiaohui Liu, Xue Han, Stewart F. Parker, Yongqiang Cheng, Luke L. Daemen, Anibal J. Ramirez-Cuesta, Sihai Yang () and Yanqin Wang ()
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Yi Shao: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Qineng Xia: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Lin Dong: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Xiaohui Liu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Xue Han: School of Chemistry, University of Manchester
Stewart F. Parker: ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Yongqiang Cheng: Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Luke L. Daemen: Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Anibal J. Ramirez-Cuesta: Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Sihai Yang: School of Chemistry, University of Manchester
Yanqin Wang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Lignin is the only large-volume renewable source of aromatic chemicals. Efficient depolymerization and deoxygenation of lignin while retaining the aromatic functionality are attractive but extremely challenging. Here we report the selective production of arenes via direct hydrodeoxygenation of organosolv lignin over a porous Ru/Nb2O5 catalyst that enabled the complete removal of the oxygen content from lignin. The conversion of birch lignin to monomer C7–C9 hydrocarbons is nearly quantitative based on its monomer content, with a total mass yield of 35.5 wt% and an exceptional arene selectivity of 71 wt%. Inelastic neutron scattering and DFT calculations confirm that the Nb2O5 support is catalytically unique compared with other traditional oxide supports, and the disassociation energy of Caromatic–OH bonds in phenolics is significantly reduced upon adsorption on Nb2O5, resulting in its distinct selectivity to arenes. This one-pot process provides a promising approach for improved lignin valorization with general applicability.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms16104

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