Valorisation of Lignin towards Monoaromatics by Selective Oxidative Depolymerisation with Polyoxometalate Catalysts and just-in-time Product Separation

Abstract

The overarching goal of this work was the process development of an oxidative and homogeneously catalysed depolymerisation method in continuous mode for technical lignins to obtain the monoaromatic compounds vanillin, methyl vanillate, syringaldehyde, and methyl syringate, utilizing polyoxometalates (POMs) as catalysts. The project encompassed multiple work packages including lignin characterization, screening of lignin substrates, catalysts, and solvent systems, process parameter optimization, selection and evaluation of downstream separation techniques, and ultimately the construction and operation of a continuous mini-plant.