Abstract
The functionalization and separation of lignin in lignocellulosics were carried out in a phase-separative reaction system composed of phenol derivative and concentrated acid. The key point of this process is that lignin and carbohydrates, which are totally different in structures and reactivities, are modified individually in the different phases. The resulting lignin derivatives (lignophenol derivatives) retained a network structure of native lignin formed by the dehydrogenative polymerization of monolignols, having unique structural features, for example highly phenolic, light-colored and highly stable, which conventional lignin preparations do not have. Lignophenol derivatives had high affinity for proteins. The lignophenol derivative-enzyme complexes were very stable in aqueous systems, with high activity comparable to native enzymes.
