P-32 t-ブチルアルコールを用いた新規バイオマス変換プロセスの開発

抄録

Even now, concentrated sulfuric acid hydrolysis is the most reliable process to recover monomeric sugars in the maximum possible yield from woody biomass because only concentrated acid can completely swell and hydrolyze cellulose. During this process, sulfuric acid lignin is quantitatively produced as a byproduct but is useless because of self-condensation between the lignin molecules under acidic conditions. In this study, we aimed to upgrade the lignin by preventation of the self-condensation with a unique additive, t-butyl alcohol in the concentrated sulfuric acid treatment of hinoki, birch, bamboo, and kraft lignin. By the treatment with t-butyl alcohol, the lignin obtained from any raw material increased in yield and IR absorption of methyl group caused by t-butylation and gained thermoplasticity. These results indicate that the addition of t-butyl alcohol is effective for upgrading the lignin from various raw material.