Phenolic Hydroxyl Content Research Articles

Bleached rice straw lignin: Thermal-chemical properties and its application in polyurethane-based paper coatings

Rice straw lignin (LRS) tends to be dark in color, which makes it less appealing for material applications. Therefore, a bleaching process involving lignin oxidation is of interest. This study aimed to investigate the mechanical and chemical properties of bleached LRS and explore its potential application in PU-based paper coatings. LRS and commercial lignin (LC) were subjected to bleaching using 29% H2O2 through oxidation treatment. The bleached lignin was then used to prepare PU-based paper coatings. The effects of bleaching treatment on the functional groups, structural, and thermal properties of lignin, as well as the water resistance of the PU composites were assessed. The oxidation treatment resulted in a reduction in the phenolic hydroxyl content, methoxy content, antioxidant activity, and equivalent weight of lignin. However, LRS exhibited greater thermal resistance than did LC. The bleached LRS was successfully integrated with toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) to produce transparent polyurethane. This polyurethane was then applied as a coating for paper containers, which successfully held cold water for over 4 h without leaking, indicating its outstanding water repellency.

Comparative study on the physicochemical characteristics of lignin via sequential solvent fractionation of ethanol and Kraft lignin derived from poplar and their applications

The challenges in high value-added utilization of lignin own to its wide molecular weight distribution and complex physicochemical properties associated with it. How to narrow the molecular weight of lignin and elucidate the differences in physiochemical properties related to molecular weight of lignins is of crucial importance for lignin conversion processing. In this study, lab-made Kraft and ethanol lignins were fractionated into several narrower molecular weight distribution components through a designed solvent system. The yield, molecular weight distribution, structural characterization and their physicochemical properties of each fractionated lignin were analyzed comparatively. The results indicated that the yield of ethanol lignin is higher (8.44 %) than that of Kraft lignin (5.26 %). Kraft lignin shows lower molecular weight (Mw=2480 g/mol), higher hydroxyl content (4.29 mmol/g), and lower content of β-O-4 and β-5 bonds compared to ethanol lignin (Mw=3682 g/mol, 2.10 mmol/g). Meanwhile, the phenolic hydroxyl content in both ethanol and Kraft lignins increased with the decrease of molecular weight. Furthermore, ethanol lignin demonstrated higher antioxidant activity and much higher (65times) tensile strength of lignin-based polyurethane elastomer than that of Kraft lignin-based polyurethane elastomer.

Fractionation of Kraft Lignin for Production of Alkyd Resins for Biobased Coatings with Oxidized Lignin Dispersants as a Co-Product.

A new valorization pathway based on solvent fractionation was applied to kraft lignin, a major by-stream of the pulping industry, to extract a soluble lignin intermediate featuring an improved structural homogeneity, a low molecular weight, and a high content of phenolic hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups to serve as a substitute of the nonrenewable polyacids in the formulation of alkyd resins, a dominant material used in the production of anticorrosion surface coatings. Herein, softwood kraft lignin was mixed in a low-cost green solvent, aqueous ethanol, prepared at different ratios, at room temperature to generate a soluble fraction of a low M w of ≤2200 g mol-1 and an insoluble fraction of a high M w of ≥3950 g mol-1 of lignin. The best combination of yields and molecular weights of soluble lignin (16-36% yield, 1740-1890 g mol-1) was attained using 50-80 vol % ethanol in fractionation. Thus, these conditions were further employed at the pilot scale to demonstrate the scalability of this technology. Soluble lignin from pilot fractionation was used to produce an optimal alkyd resin formulation and thereafter an anticorrosion coating on the metal surface, both of which matched the target properties of industrial standards well (180 s Persoz hardness and 72 gloss units of coating, 100% adhesion of paint with no cracks or peeling in the cross-cut test, no corrosion after 120 h of the salt spray test). The insoluble solids from pilot fractionation could also be valorized by alkali-O2 oxidation into lignin-based dispersants for special carbon black pigments. Overall, this study presents a new, simple strategy to develop an efficient, scalable, low-cost, and green process for upgrading kraft lignin into phenolic intermediates for biobased alkyd resins to facilitate sustainable production of high-performance anticorrosion coatings.

An oxidative depolymerized lignin treated by potassium ferrate and its use in preparation of epoxy resin

AbstractLignin, as an industrial by‐product, can be used as a phenolic substancen. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (L) was treated with potassium ferrate and phenol respectively to obtain oxidized lignin (OL) and phenolated lignin (PL). Their phenolic hydroxyl content (PhOH) increased by 29.1% and 40.5%, respectively. Then four kinds of epoxy resins were prepared, namely lignin‐free epoxy resin (LFER), L epoxy resin (LER), PL epoxy resin (PLER), and OL epoxy resin (OLER). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and Fourier transform infrared analyses indicated that potassium ferrate oxidation could decline the molecular weight (Mw) and increase the PhOH of L. Mechanical properties test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results show that cured OLER (OLEN) has higher crosslinking density and better mechanical properties (shear strength increased by 14%, tensile strength increased by 15%) than cured LER (LEN). Thermogravimetric analysis results show that OLEN has better thermal stability than cured LFER (LFEN) and LEN. In addition, scanning electron microscopy images showed that the modified L had better compatibility. This study presents a novel approach for lignin oxidation.

Exploring the relationship between lignin structure and antioxidant property using lignin model compounds

Lignin has a natural polyphenol structure that is expected to replace chemically synthesized antioxidants as a native antioxidant with biodegradable and convenient source characteristics. However, the improvement of the antioxidant property of lignin and its application as an antioxidant are still somewhat limited due to the lack of understanding of the relationship between specific lignin structures and antioxidant property. Therefore, the study of the relationship between lignin structure and antioxidant property is crucial to realize the high-quality application of lignin. In this experiment, the scavenging ability of free 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) radicals was determined for different grades of acetylated tannins, typical lignin model compounds and different structural units of milled wood lignin to investigate the relationship between lignin structure and antioxidant property. Based on the experimental results, some structure-activity relationships were proposed and the mechanism of the antioxidant property of lignin was discussed. The number of phenolic hydroxyl groups was linearly and positively correlated with antioxidant property, and the scavenging of DPPH radicals increased significantly with the increase in the number of methoxy groups in the model compounds. Moreover, aldehyde and carboxyl groups had a negative effect on the antioxidant property of lignin, while methoxy, alkyl and alcohol hydroxyl groups played a positive role. The guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) units favored the antioxidant property, so the difference in the content of structural units in lignin under certain conditions of phenolic hydroxyl content also affected the antioxidant property. Therefore, the antioxidant property of aspen milled lignin was higher than that of other milled lignin from different wood species. Finally, the mechanism of DPPH free radical scavenging by lignin was revealed to better understand the relationship between lignin structure and antioxidant property.

Excellent facile fabrication of PVA and lignin nanoparticles from wheat straw after novel DES-THF pretreatment

The utilization of environmental friendly and renewable materials has received increasing attention recently. Lignin nanospheres (LNPs) prepared from recovered lignin and residual lignin after DESs and DESs-THF pretreatment were obtained by self-assembly in the present research. Then, films were prepared by incorporating them into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution. The properties of various films were characterized and compared. Results showed that as the LNPs content increased, the UV blocking capacity of the films was gradually enhanced than PVA film. The DES-THF films showed better antioxidant properties up to 69 % due to higher phenolic hydroxyl content. The hydrophobicity of films incorporated with DESs-THF pretreated lignin was consistently better than that of DES pretreated. DES-THF-M films showed a higher Tmax than that of DES-M films, resulting in better thermal stability. Moreover, DES-THF-L films are lighter in color due to a lower degree of condensation, which is favorable to subsequent applications. The incorporation of LNPs improved mechanical and antioxidant properties, thermal stability, and UV shielding ability of PVA films, especially lignin after DES-THF pretreatment. In conclusion, the prepared PVA/LNPs composite films possessed good functional properties that make them potential for packaging materials.

Insights into the Chemical Structure and Antioxidant Activity of Lignin Extracted from Bamboo by Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed of choline chloride as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) and six organic acids as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) were used to extract lignin from bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J. Houz.). The structures of the DES-extracted lignin samples were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to investigate the relationship between the chemical structure of lignin and its antioxidant activity. The results showed that DES treatment removed a large portion of the lignin (73.37-86.38%) from bamboo, and the chemical structure of lignin was changed due to the use of different types of HBDs. The extracted lignin exhibited good UV-vis light shielding properties, thermal stability, and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the total phenolic hydroxyl content of lignins was positively correlated with their antioxidant activity, while the molecular weight of lignins was negatively correlated with their antioxidant activity. Notably, lignin extracted with choline chloride-p-toluenesulfonic acid had the highest phenolic hydroxyl content and lower molecular weight, showing the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50DPPH = 417.69 μg/mL, IC50ABTS = 58.62 μg/mL). This study confirms the high thermal stability, excellent antioxidant activity, and UV shielding properties of lignin extracted with choline chloride-organic acid DESs, suggesting its potential application in the fields of antioxidants and material modifiers.

The Enhancement Origin of Antioxidant Property of Carboxylated Lignin Isolated from Herbaceous Biomass Using the Maleic Acid Hydrotropic Fractionation.

Lignin is endowed with antioxidant activity due to its diverse chemical structure. It is necessary to explore the relationship between antioxidant activity and the chemical structure of the lignin to develop its high-value utilization. Herein, we employed maleic acid (MA) as a hydrotropic agent to preferably isolate the lignin from distinct herbaceous sources (wheat straw and switchgrass) under atmospheric pressure conditions. The resultant acid hydrotropic lignin (AHL) isolated from wheat straw exhibited high radical scavenging rates, up to 98% toward DPPH and 94% toward ABTS. Further investigations indicated that during the MA hydrotropic fractionation (MAHF) process, lignin was carboxylated by MA at γ-OH of the side-chain, providing additional antioxidant activity from the carboxy group. It was also found that the radical scavenging rate of AHL has a positive correlation with carboxyl, phenolic hydroxyl contents, and the S-G (syringyl-guaiacyl) ratio, which could be realized by increasing the MAHF severity. Overall, this work underlies the enhancement origin of the antioxidant property of lignin, which will facilitate its application in biological fields as an efficient, cheap, and renewable antioxidant additive.

UV–vis spectroscopy as a rapid method for evaluation of total phenolic hydroxyl structures in lignin

Abstract Phenolic hydroxyl groups in lignin are crucial for understanding its structure, reactivity, and potential applications. Various methods have been developed for the determining phenolic groups in lignin. This study focuses on the comparison of a simple, cost-effective, and time-efficient UV–vis ionization difference technique with the highly accurate 31P NMR spectroscopy for analyzing lignin samples of different origins and isolation methods. The results were carefully evaluated, and the strengths and limitations of each method were discussed. Two eco-friendly UV–vis approaches were proposed for a rapid and comprehensive evaluation of the total phenolic-OH groups: one using a strong alkaline solution for analyzing common types of technical lignins, and another employing multipoint wavelength calculations, effective for analyzing softwood lignins regardless of the extraction method. Additionally, the research highlighted the importance of selecting appropriate model phenolic compounds to accurately assess the phenolic hydroxyl group content in lignins using the UV–vis method. Offering straightforward and rapid analysis, with results closely aligning with 31P NMR data, this method is a promising alternative for routine analysis.

Efficient utilization of lignin heterogeneity: Employing a simple approach to modulate the structure-effect relationship of lignin microspheres for its high-quality applications in supercapacitors

Lignin, an abundant, sustainable, and cost-effective biomass material, is recognized for its high carbon content, making it an ideal candidate for supercapacitors electrode. However, the inhomogeneity of lignin and the amorphous structure of lignin-derived carbon limit its application in energy storage. To effectively address the aforementioned issues, this study initially fractionated alkali lignin (AL) using a green γ-valerolactone/water system to obtain two fractions (L1 and L2) with distinct molecular weights and phenolic hydroxyl contents. The aim of this initiative was to reduce the heterogeneity of the lignin. Subsequently, three groups of lignin microspheres (LMS-AL, LMS-L1 and LMS-L2) with different morphologies were prepared from AL, L1, and L2 using an industrially proven spray-drying technique. This initiative significantly increased the specific surface area of lignin. Ultimately, lignin microspheres were carbonized to prepare carbon microspheres (LMSC-AL, LMSC-L1 and LMSC-L2) that could be used as supercapacitor electrodes. Notably, LMSC-L1 demonstrated superior electrochemical performance, with a specific capacitance of 200 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, and retaining 93.34 % capacitance after 15,000 charge/discharge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of LMSC-L1 is attributed to its elevated specific surface area (388.1 m2 g−1) and substantial porosity (0.238 cm3 g−1). This study also explored practical application, with LMSC-L1 successfully powering LED lights and calculators. Through this research, we have developed a simple method is proposed to modulate the structure of lignin microspheres by leveraging the heterogeneity of lignin itself. Furthermore, we systematically investigated the structure-effect relationship of lignin microspheres and the electrochemical properties of their carbonized microspheres. This work lays a foundational framework for the efficient utilization of lignin in energy storge applications.

Simultaneous production of furfural, lignin and cellulose-rich residue from Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis by ChCl/1,2-propanediol/MIBK biphasic system pretreatment

A facile biphasic system composed of choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was developed to realize the furfural production, lignin separation and preparation of fermentable glucose from Eucalyptus in one-pot. Results showed that the ChCl/1,2-propanediol/MIBK system owned the best property to convert hemicelluloses into furfural. Under the optimal conditions (MRChCl:1,2-propanediol = 1:2, raw materials:DES:MIBK ratio = 1:4:8 g/g/mL, 0.075 mol/L AlCl3·6H2O, 140 °C, and 90 min), the furfural yield and glucose yield reached 65.0 and 92.2 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the lignin with low molecular weight (1250–1930 g/mol), low polydispersity (DM = 1.25–1.53) and high purity (only 0.08–2.59 % carbohydrate content) was regenerated from the biphasic system. With the increase of pretreatment temperature, the β-O-4, β-β and β-5 linkages in the regenerated lignin were gradually broken, and the content of phenolic hydroxyl groups increased, but the content of aliphatic hydroxyl groups decreased. This research provides a new strategy for the comprehensive utilization of lignocellulose in biorefinery process.

Ethyl acetate fractionation improved the homogeneity and purity of CAOSA-extracted lignin

Lignin separated from the pulping and bio-refining industry is a cross-linked organic phenolic polymer and the most abundant renewable aromatic resource. However, its wide molecular weight distribution, inhomogeneity and complex functional groups are the factors restricting the application of lignin. The preparation of lignin with simple structures and low dispersity by fractionation is one of the main methods to transform lignin into higher-value materials. In this study, lignin fragments with lower dispersibility (Đ) were separated from CAOSA-extracted bamboo lignin by continuous organic solvent fractionation involving ethyl acetate, ethanol, acetone and dioxane/water (95:5). The lignin fragments extracted by ethyl acetate possessed a lower molecular weight (821 g/mol), lower glass transition temperature (Tg), higher purity and phenolic hydroxyl content (0.370 mmol/g). This method unlocked the versatility of the lignin components and provided a reference for the application of lignin in resin, rubber, antioxidant, asphalt and adhesive.

Green preparations of nanolignin from acid-saccharification-treated sugarcane trash

Characterization of isolated lignin and utilization of nanotechnology to produce nanolignin as a functional material are paramount. Lignin was extracted from acid-saccharification sugarcane trash (SCT-ASac) to produce acid-saccharification lignin (ASac-lignin). Then, lignin was further processed to nanolignin by a self-assembly dialysis process using THF:ethanol (1:1) as the solvent. The chemical, physical, and thermal properties of the lignin were evaluated, and the nanolignin size was confirmed via morphological analysis and PSA. SCT-ASac treatment prior to lignin isolation affects the structure of SCT and enhances the accessibility of lignin. Furthermore, this pretreatment can reduce residual carbohydrates, increasing the purity value. ASac-lignin has a nonconjugated phenolic group structure with a high number of β-O-4 bonds, a syringyl content, aromatic groups with low thermal stability, and a molecular weight with good phenolic hydroxyl content and total phenolic compounds. The obtained nanolignin is a spherical and more uniform particle with sizes less than 100 nm. ASac-nanolignin has the potential to be an environmentally friendly material in derivative lignin synthesis.

Production, thermal recycling, and application of cardanol-based polyurethane foam with phenol-carbamate bonds

The economic processing, sustainable recycling, and environmentally friendly application of polyurethane (PU) foams are important issues that need to be addressed urgently. In this study, we propose a strategy for the comprehensive utilization of cardanol and cashew shells to design cardanol-based PU (CPU) foams and wood-plastic films that can be recycled and reused. Firstly, cardanol-based polyphenols (CBPs) with a phenolic hydroxyl content of 3.29 mmol/g were prepared by Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction using cardanol and guaiacol as raw materials. Subsequently, CPU foams were prepared by reacting CBPs with isocyanate, and the vertical and parallel compressive strengths could reach up to 0.27 MPa and 0.32 MPa, respectively, when the addition of CBPs was 80 %. These CPU foams, containing dynamic phenol-carbamate bonds, could be hot-pressed into transparent and smooth CPU films with tensile strengths of up to 30.5 MPa and could be re-formed at least three times. Finally, CPU foam and cashew shell waste were mixed and hot-pressed to produce a green wood-plastic composite with a tensile strength of up to 38.8 MPa. The resulting CPU-Wood films could be repaired or reshaped at least five times (38.0 MPa and 38.1 MPa) and could be formed into various shapes. This research paves the way for large-scale industrial production of recyclable and regenerative bio-based foams, making effective use of waste materials to achieve environmentally friendly production processes.

Preparation of high antioxidant nanolignin and its application in cosmetics

Lignin, as a natural polyphenol, displays anti-oxidant activity by trapping and binding free radicals through its free phenolic hydroxyl groups. However, the most accessible form, industrial lignins, generally has low phenolic hydroxyl content, which severely limits their application value and scenarios. Herein, we showed that potassium-glycerate deep eutectic solvent (PG-DES) treatment can be combined with laccase oxidation to afford prepared high antioxidant lignin nanoparticles (HA-LNPs) with notably improved anti-oxidant activities benefiting from both the enhanced phenolic hydroxyl content 170.8 % and reduced average particle size (59.0 nm). At concentrations as low as 60 μg/mL, HA-LNPs showed favorable effects in promoting collagen formation. When HA-LNPs were used as an active ingredient in the anti-aging mask formulation, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity of mask samples containing 0.4 % HA-LNPs reached 37.2 %. The data suggest great promise of HA-LNPs as a natural antioxidant for formulating in anti-aging skin care products.

Unlocking the potential of phenolated kraft lignin as a versatile feed additive

Lignin, a renewable natural antioxidant and bacteriostat, holds promise as a versatile, cost-effective feed additive. However, traditional industrial lignin faces limitations, including low reactivity, poor uniformity, and unstable properties, necessitating chemical modification. Complex modification methods pose economic and toxicity challenges, so this study adopted a relatively simple alkali-catalyzed phenolization approach, using phenol, catechol, and pyrogallol to modify kraft lignin, and characterized the resulting products using various techniques. Subsequently, their antioxidant, antibacterial, adsorption properties for heavy metal ions and mycotoxins, growth-promoting properties, and antiviral abilities were assessed. The phenolation process led to lignin depolymerization and a notable increase in phenolic hydroxyl content, particularly in pyrogallol-phenolated lignin (Py-L), rising from 3.08 to 4.68 mmol/g. These modified lignins exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, with over 99 % inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus, and remarkable adsorption capacities for heavy metal ions and mycotoxins. Importantly, Py-L improved the growth performance of mice and reduced influenza mortality. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations elucidated the mechanism behind the enhanced antioxidant properties. This study presents a promising avenue for developing versatile feed additives to address challenges related to animal feed antioxidant supplementation, bacterial control, and growth promotion.

Inhibition and disaggregation effect of flavonoid-derived carbonized polymer dots on protein amyloid aggregation

In this research, four water-insoluble flavonoid compounds were utilized and reacted with arginine to prepare four carbonized polymer dots with good water-solubility in a hydrothermal reactor. Structural characterization demonstrated that the prepared carbonized polymer dots were classic core-shell structure. Effect of the prepared carbonized polymer dots on protein amyloid aggregation was further investigated using hen egg white lysozyme and human lysozyme as model protein in aqueous solution. All of the prepared carbonized polymer dots could retard the amyloid aggregation of hen egg white lysozyme and human lysozyme in a dose-depended manner. All measurements displayed that the inhibition ratio of luteolin-derived carbonized polymer dots (CPDs-1) was higher than that of the other three carbonized polymer dots under the same dosage. This result may be interpreted by the highest content of phenolic hydroxyl groups on the periphery. The inhibition ratio of CPDs-1 on hen egg white lysozyme and human lysozyme reached 88 % and 83 % at the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. CPDs-1 also could disaggregate the formed mature amyloid fibrils into short aggregates.

Solvent Fractionation of Technical Lignin Materials with Industrially Relevant Solvents

Lignin fractionation aims at dividing the original lignin material into more uniform fractions that have the qualities desired for further processing of the material. Solvent fractionation is a versatile method that produces a soluble and an insoluble fraction with varying compositions, including molecular weight distribution, polydispersity (PDI), and phenolic hydroxyl (OHph) content. These properties are key factors in the further downstream applicability of lignin. Kraft, organosolv, and hydrolysis lignins were fractionated using multiple solvents and their water solutions with a single-stage fractionation protocol. The produced fractions were analyzed for their molecular size distribution and OHph content. Soluble fractions were discovered with desirable qualities, including a narrow size distribution (lowest PDI 1.4) and accumulation of OHph groups (up to 3.05 mmolOH/glignin). Three fractionation solvents, i.e., pure isopropanol, pure ethanol, and 30% γ-valerolactone, were found to produce solvent-specific soluble fractions that had relatively identical characteristic Mw, Mn, and PDI values regardless of the initial lignin material. This is crucially important new data that is beneficial for robust lignin applicability at industrial scale. Other important observations were made regarding water-alcohol solutions, as the increase in initial solid content resulted in changes in the composition of the fractions produced. Further applicability of the obtained fractions is examined in this paper. Patterns as well as differences between the three lignin materials were observed in their dissolution and the resulting compositions of the soluble fractions. This wide comparable dataset of industrially relevant solvents and lignin materials provides significant insight into the possibilities of lignin downstream processing.

Acid-catalyzed phenolation of lignin with tea polyphenol: Enhancing uv resistance and oxidation resistance for potential applications

The rapid development of the industry has led to the destruction of the earth's ozone layer, resulting in an increasingly serious problem of excessive ultraviolet radiation. Exploring effective measures to address these problems has become a hot topic. Lignin shows promise in the design and preparation of anti-ultraviolet products due to its inherent properties. However, it is important to investigate way to enhance the reactivity of lignin and determine its application form in related products. In this study, phenolic reactions with tea polyphenols were conducted through acid-catalyzed conversion, utilizing organic solvent lignin as the primary material. The phenolic hydroxyl content of the original lignin increased significantly by 218.8 %, resulting in notable improvements in UV resistance and oxidation resistance for phenolic lignin. Additionally, micro-nanocapsule emulsions were formed using phenolic lignin particles as surfactants through ultrasonic cavitation with small-molecule sunscreens. A bio-based sunscreen was prepared with phenolated lignin micro-nanocapsules as the active ingredient, achieving an SPF 100.2 and demonstrating excellent stability. The sunscreen also exhibited strong antioxidant properties and impermeability, ensuring user safety. This research offers a current solution for improving the application of lignin in sunscreens while also broadening the potential uses of plant-based materials in advanced functional products.

Molecularly engineered lignin to polyphenol via organocatalysis as an active sunscreen ingredient

Phenolation is one of the effective strategies to synthesize lignin-based polyphenols, improve lignin's properties, and extend its value-added applications in biological, medicinal and cosmetic fields. Herein, by taking the structural feature advantage of lignin, an effective and green strategy was developed to molecularly engineer lignin into a robust lignin-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propionate ester (LPPE) derivative via a transesterification reaction between 3,4-dihydrocoumarin (DHC) and the aliphatic hydroxyls in lignin under organocatalysis. The strategy is optimized and the novel derivative was systematically characterized by 1H, 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The findings indicated that the successful introduction of 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propionate groups using a OH groups/DHC/organic base molar ratio of 1꞉1꞉0.3 at 120 °C for 6 h increased the content of phenolic hydroxyl groups from 1.793 1 to 3.017 9 mmol/g, and the LPPE exhibited excellent ultraviolet-absorbing and antioxidant performance with up to 90% free radical scavenging activity within 20 min using 5 mg/mL of LPPE. In addition, good biocompatibility and a high Sun protection factor (SPF) value of 40.9 were achieved at 5% (w) dosage of LPPE in the cream, indicating its significant application potential in sunscreen.