Kim, Kwang Ho Jeong, Keunhong Zhuang, Jingshun Jeong, Hye Jin Kim, Chang Soo Koo, Bonwook Yoo, Chang Geun 2024-01-19T16:00:24Z 2024-01-19T16:00:24Z 2021-09-02 2021-01 0926-6690 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/117649 Lignin is regarded as a potential source of various aromatic compounds and chemicals, replacing petrochemicals. Catechol and its derivatives are important platform chemicals in many industrial sectors, including agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The global market of catechols is expected to increase with emerging demand in end-use industries. Considering that the current production of catechols relies on fossil fuels, it is critical to seek alternative renewable sources to respond to sustainability challenges. In this respect, lignin is viewed as a promising material due to its abundance and renewable character. Also, the structural similarity to catechols has made lignin a potential feedstock for the production of bio-catechols. However, the lignin-to-catechols conversion approach is still in an early stage because the intractable nature of lignin and the complex mixture of the depolymerized products make its valorization less feasible. Herein, we report a selective production of catechols via tandem conversion of lignin, namely, demethylation followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis (DFCH). The DFCH of lignin resulted in catechol- and catechol derivatives-rich liquid, accounting for 80 % in the identified products. The reaction mechanisms were also studied by quantum calculations to provide a fundamental understanding of the conversion. The result proves that selective modification of lignin structure is a promising approach to produce specific platform chemicals, providing insights toward an efficient strategy for lignin valorization. English Elsevier BV Tandem conversion of lignin to catechols via demethylation and catalytic hydrogenolysis Article 10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.113095 1 Industrial Crops and Products, v.159 Industrial Crops and Products 159 N scie scopus 000596614800002 2-s2.0-85096572445 Agricultural Engineering Agronomy Agriculture Article DEPOLYMERIZATION PYROLYSIS OXIDATION ACID VALORIZATION CHEMICALS Tandem reaction Lignin valorization Platform chemical Depolymerization Structural modification