O-207 相分離変換システムによるリグノセルロース資源の長期有効利用(セッション4:技術-マテリアル変換-,口頭発表)

抄録

Lignin is supposed to be utilized as an energy source in paper mills and bioethanol industries. However, we recognize it very important to utilize lignin as a bio-material for a longer period than cellulose and hemicellulose because lignin decomposes slowly to CO_2 in the real ecosystem. Phase-separation system is a process based on solvation of lignocellulosic materials by phenol derivatives and the following swelling and hydrolysis of carbohydrate by concentrated acid. Cellulose and hemicellulose are hydrolysed to sugars and lignin is converted to a light-colored functional phenolic polymer (lignophenol). Differently from various kinds of conventional lignins, lignophenol is organic-solvent soluble, flows at a low temperature and its structures are controllable. Since lignin is the only promising renewable source of aromatic compounds, lignophenol should be used with successive control of the structures and functions and then finally converted to simple aromatics for chemical industries. In this presentation, we would show a strategic way to utilize lignocellulosic resources through phase-separation system, and the recent experimental data on the conversion of lignophenol to monophenols under hydrothermal conditions.