FULLY CATALYTIC ETHANOLYSIS OF KRAFT LIGNIN INTO HIGH VALUED SMALL MOLECULAR CHEMICALS OVER A NANO MOLYBDENUM CARBIDE CATALYST

摘要

Lignin, a natural biopolymer, is a renewable raw material and constitutes up to 30% of the weight and 40% of the heating value of the lignocellulsic biomass1. Crude lignin is obtained in large quantities as a by-product in the pulp and paper industry, mainly as Kraft lignin and lignosulfonate. High value added chemicals, particularly aromatics can be obtained from lignin by chemical depqlymerization processes. However, few achievements have been made due to the stability of lignin structure and the complexity of its components. Here, we report a strategy for the catalytic conversion of Kraft lignin over a nano molybdenum carbide catalyst (a-MoC_(1-x) /AC) in pure ethanol. A maximum yield of 1.64 g/g lignin is achieved. The main products consist of C6 to C10 esters, alcohols, arenes, phenols, and benzyl alcohols.