DEPOLYMERISATION OF OXIDISED LIGNIN

摘要

A method of depolymerising a lignin includes oxidising the lignin to provide an oxidised lignin wherein benzylic –OH of β-O-4 linkages have been converted to carbonyl. The oxidised lignin is depolymerised with a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, aluminium and titanium or mixtures thereof, in the presence of an ammonium salt or carbon dioxide. Also described are methods for manufacturing phenolic products from lignin and a method for the cleavage of a β-O-4 linkage in a substrate.