Chem. J. Chinese Universities ›› 2023, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (5): 20220749.doi: 10.7503/cjcu20220749

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Electrocatalytic Oxidative Cleavage of Lignin: Facile and Efficient Biomass Valorization Strategy

XU Jianing, BAI Wenjing, LOU Yuhan, YU Haipeng(), DOU Shuo()   

  1. Key Laboratory of Bio?Based Material Science and Technology,Ministry of Education,Northeast Forestry University,Harbin 150040,China
  • Received:2022-12-06 Online:2023-05-10 Published:2023-01-09
  • Contact: YU Haipeng, DOU Shuo E-mail:yuhaipeng20000@nefu.edu.cn;doushuo@nefu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22102019);the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province, China(YQ2021C005);the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China(2572021BB10)

Abstract:

Lignin, as an intriguing native renewable aromatic polymer, can be depolymerized into aromatic platform chemicals by catalysis procedures, and its high-value conversion is of great significance for realizing the green and sustainable production of biofuels, fine chemicals, and bulk chemicals. With this regard, catalytic oxidation of lignin through electrochemistry offers an economized energy nature with tunable potential or current to determine the products selectivity and conversion rate. However, to realize the controllable degradation of lignin, the electrocatalytic system, including the catalysts, electrolyte, reaction cell, etc., should be rationally designed based on the well-understanding of the depolymerization mechanism. In this review, we focused on the bond cleavage mechanism of C—C bond and C—O bond, respectively, in the depolymerization of lignin. Research works based on the different bond cleavage mechanisms in the electrochemical oxidation of lignin and its model compounds to aromatic monomers in recent years were reviewed here, including the different types of catalytic systems, electrocatalysts, and free radical initiators. Of which the free radical intermediates play decisive role in the highly selective cleavage of C—O and C—C bonds. Finally, the challenges and development perspectives in the future of electrocatalytic lignin depolymerization are also provided.

Key words: Electrocatalysis, Lignin depolymerization, Electro-oxidation, Model compound, Reaction mechanism

CLC Number: 

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