Abstract
SynopsisIn this study, we carried out successive cleavage of the ether linkages of lignin through the reverse pathway of lignin biosynthetic mechanism. The first step is cleavage of benzyl aryl ether through the phase-separation system. The second step is cleavage of C-beta aryl ether linkages of lignophenol by the mild alkaline condition. The third step is demethylation of the aromatic methoxyl groups leading to monophenols by Lewis acid treatment. Through these cleavage of ether linkages of lignin, we achieved activation and depolymerization of lignin for chemical feedstock.
