Selective Conversion of Biomass-Derived Lignin to Cyclic Hydrocarbons

A potential value-added stream produced in the DMR process from NREL is the “native-like” and tractable lignin residues isolated from deacetylation and enzymatic hydrolysis. Nobel metal (i.e.Ru, Rh, Pt) and earth abundant metals (i.e. Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn ) immobilized on an acidic carbonaceous material act as efficient catalysts in the hydrodeoxygenation of technical lignins under batch conditions. A synergistic interaction between the metal sites and acid groups within the bifunctional and bimetallic catalyst leads to enhanced catalytic activities for the overall transformation of technical lignins to cyclic hydrocarbons as compared to the individual steps catalyzed by the separate catalytic functionalities. In addition, the selectivity of catalysts will also be addressed in our presentation.