Transformation of lignin into high-value chemicals is hampered by the complexity of monomers obtained from lignin depolymerization. Here we report a strategy, composed of hy-dro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation react...Transformation of lignin into high-value chemicals is hampered by the complexity of monomers obtained from lignin depolymerization. Here we report a strategy, composed of hy-dro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions, that is able to chemically converge various lig-nin-derived phenolic monomers into phenol in a single-step. Using 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol as a model compound, Pt/C exhibited the best performance in hydro-demethoxylation reaction afford-ing 80% 4-propylphenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol, while H-ZSM-5 was identified as the most suitable catalyst for de-alkylation, achieving 83% yield of phenol from 4-propylphenol. Since the two catalysts operate under compatible conditions, combining the two catalysts to simultane-ously promote both hydro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions was achieved. Configura-tion of how to organize the catalysts is a critical parameter, where the physical mixture of the two was most effective, providing over 60% phenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol in a single-step.展开更多
文摘Transformation of lignin into high-value chemicals is hampered by the complexity of monomers obtained from lignin depolymerization. Here we report a strategy, composed of hy-dro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions, that is able to chemically converge various lig-nin-derived phenolic monomers into phenol in a single-step. Using 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol as a model compound, Pt/C exhibited the best performance in hydro-demethoxylation reaction afford-ing 80% 4-propylphenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol, while H-ZSM-5 was identified as the most suitable catalyst for de-alkylation, achieving 83% yield of phenol from 4-propylphenol. Since the two catalysts operate under compatible conditions, combining the two catalysts to simultane-ously promote both hydro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions was achieved. Configura-tion of how to organize the catalysts is a critical parameter, where the physical mixture of the two was most effective, providing over 60% phenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol in a single-step.
