Degradation of Lignin Model Compounds in Organic Solvents. Part 1. Preliminary Studies

Abstract

Preliminary studies were conducted on the degradation of guaiacylglycerol-β-aryl ether (β-O-4′), phenylcoumaran (β-5′) and biphenyl (5–5′) type lignin model compounds in the organic solvent systems such as ethanol-water (1:1, v/v) and 2-butanone-water (1:1, v/v), in the presence of a di- or trivalent inorganic salt to act as a Lewis acid in the temperature range 140–170°C and with a reaction time up to 60 minutes. The inorganic salts investigated include aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, and stannic chloride. The results indicate that lignin model compounds of both phenolic and non-phenolicβ-O-4′ types are susceptible to degradation in organic solvent systems in the presence of one of these salts. Stannic chloride was found to be the most suitable catalyst for the degradation of β-O-4′ type lignin model compounds in the organic solvent systems. In contrast, lignin model compounds of β-5′ and 5–5′ types did not undergo degradation under the same reaction conditions. A possible reaction mechanism for the degradation of β-O-4′ type lignin model compounds in organic solvent system in the presence of stannic chloride is discussed.