Êtes-vous un étudiant de l'EPFL à la recherche d'un projet de semestre?
Travaillez avec nous sur des projets en science des données et en visualisation, et déployez votre projet sous forme d'application sur Graph Search.
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 hydro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions, that is able to chemically converge various lignin-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 affording >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 simultaneously promote both hydro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions was achieved. Configuration 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.
Harm-Anton Klok, Alberto Ongaro, Irene Filipucci