Selective oxidative cleavage of lignin through tailored reactive oxygen species
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Transforming lignin into valuable aromatic compounds is a critical objective for sustainable biorefining. While oxidative depolymerization has been proven effective in breaks down lignin's macromolecule, its practical application has been limited by low selectivity. This review presents a paradigm shift in the field, moving from broad, non-selective oxidative degradation methods to highly targeted catalytic processes driven by controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS). It offers a comprehensive analysis of how various catalytic systems—utilizing O 2 , H 2 O 2 , metals oxides, electricity, light, and organic oxidants—generate distinct ROS profiles, ranging from non-specific hydroxyl radicals to more selective superoxide anions or high-valent metal-oxo complexes. These ROS serve as "molecular scissors", directly influencing the efficiency of C–O and C–C bond cleavage, thereby determining the yields of key products such as aldehydes, ketones, and acids. This review also explores emerging strategies, including single-atom catalysis and external field activation, which provide unparalleled precision in managing these reactive intermediates. Finally, it addresses ongoing challenges related to catalyst stability and the heterogeneity of lignin, while outlining promising future research directions focused on tandem processes and real-time mechanistic studies, to further unlock lignin's potential as a renewable source of aromatic feedstocks.
Source: Tetrahedron Green Chem
Authors: Ying He, Rongji Li, Mingyang Hu, Yun Liu
Institution: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Language: English
Topic: Lignin and Wood Chemistry
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,850
Award: G2663139383
OpenAlex ID: W4417419953