The chemistry of ammonium-based ionic liquids in depolymerization process of lignin

In the present study, an ammonium-based ionic liquids (ILs)-assisted green method is developed to selectively depolymerize lignin into the valuable phenolic compounds. The influence of the selected ammonium-based ionic liquids, DIPEAA and DIPEAO, on depolymerization of the alkali lignin is investiga...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of molecular liquids 2017-12, Vol.248, p.227-234
Main Authors: Tolesa, Leta Deressa, Gupta, Bhupender S., Lee, Ming-Jer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Catalysis
Depolymerization
Ionic liquid
Lignin
Phenolic compounds
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Summary:In the present study, an ammonium-based ionic liquids (ILs)-assisted green method is developed to selectively depolymerize lignin into the valuable phenolic compounds. The influence of the selected ammonium-based ionic liquids, DIPEAA and DIPEAO, on depolymerization of the alkali lignin is investigated by using chromatographic (gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and GC–MS) and various spectroscopic (FTIR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR) techniques. The results from those series of measurements strongly suggest that these ILs (DIPEAA and DIPEAO) are highly suitable to use not only as a solvent but also as a catalyst in the depolymerization of the alkali lignin. The effects of the operating parameters including reaction conditions (temperature and elapsed time of reaction) and hydrophobicity of the ionic liquids, on the efficiency of the depolymerization process are discussed. In addition, the mechanism of the investigated ILs-assisted lignin depolymerization process is also proposed. •A green ionic-liquid-based method is proposed for the selective depolymerization of lignin.•Ammonium-based ionic liquid DIPEAA and DIPEAO serve as a catalyst as well as suitable medium in depolymerization.•The effects of operating parameters and hydrophobicity of IL on depolymerization of lignin are studied.•The mechanism of ILs-assisted lignin depolymerization process is proposed.
ISSN:0167-7322
1873-3166
DOI:10.1016/j.molliq.2017.10.054