Unravelling the enigma of lignin^OX: can the oxidation of lignin be controlled?

Abstract

As societal challenges go, the development of efficient biorefineries as a means of reducing our dependence on petroleum refineries is high on the list.

Recent Advances in the Catalytic Depolymerization of Lignin towards Phenolic Chemicals: A Review

“…In 2015, Westwood and co‐workers achieved the chemoselective oxidation of lignin model compounds and native lignin by the DDQ/ t BuONO/O 2 system. The extracted lignin was further depolymerized with Zn as catalyst to obtain phenolic monomers with Hibbert's ketones as the major products . Besides, the same group has achieved the selective production of C α ‐ketones over W 2 C/AC catalyst from beech lignin and the β‐O‐4 model compounds have proved to give higher yield of phenolic monomers .…”

Understanding laccase/HBT-catalyzed grass delignification at the molecular level

“…S5 †). 43,[56][57][58][59] Note that F is a tentative annotation, and that the displayed structure is only one of the possible cyclohexadienone structures (see van Erven et al for other possible structures). 43 A complete list of annotations can be found in Table S3.…”

Artificial Metalloenzymes as Catalysts for Oxidative Lignin Degradation

“…Artificial Metalloenzymes (ArMs) provide a different Scheme 1: Previously reported methods to Lignin OX . 9,7,10 approach from biomimetic chemistry to bridge the gap between naturally occurring enzymes and chemical methods for tackling challenging reactions. 19 There have been many examples of ArMs being used in oxidation reactions such as alcohol oxidation, sulfoxidation and C=C and C-H bond oxygenation.…”