(400d) Developing Biomass Valorization Technologies Based on Functionalization Chemistry

The production of various chemicals from biomass usually involves the depolymerization of biomass’s three constituent polymers: cellulose and hemicellulose, which are both polysaccharides; and lignin, which is a polymer of phenyl propanoid sub-units. Achieving high yields of useful products from all three fractions is often complicated by low yields both during depolymerization and after the multi-step conversion processes that are often necessary to achieve a useful commercial biobased product. Various degradation reactions of both sugars and lignin intermediates are particular detrimental to achieving products at high yields.

Here, I will discuss how we can use functionalization chemistry, both during lignin extraction and polysaccharide depolymerization, to reversibly “trap” stabilized intermediate molecules, and facilitate their high-yield upgrading. Notably, we can show that, under the right conditions, extracted lignin can be catalytically upgraded at high yields to as few as 1-2 major products. Acetal functionalized lignin and carbohydrates could also serve as new platform molecules for the production bio-based materials including polymers. Altogether, this chemistry offers avenues for simplified scale-up and process development for the production of both high-value and bulk chemicals. I will discuss how these routes offers a realistic path towards de-risking a catalytic biorefining technology and potential commercial development.