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Methanolysis Fractionation and Catalytic Conversion of Poplar Wood toward Methyl Levulinate, Phenolics, and Glucose
journal contribution
posted on 2019-08-23, 22:15 authored by Qiaolong Zhai, Chung-yun Hse, Feng Long, Todd F. Shupe, Fei Wang, Jianchun Jiang, Junming XuIn the present study, methanolysis
of poplar biomass was conducted for the selective transformation of
hemicellulose and lignin, which leads to methyl glycosides (mainly
C5 glycosides) and lignin fragments in the liquefied products that
can be separated according to their difference in hydrophilicity.
The distribution of methyl glycosides and delignification was dependent
on the presence of acid catalysts and reaction temperatures. The obtained
lignin fraction was separated into solid lignin fragments and liquid
lignin oil according to their molecular weight distribution. Subsequently,
directional conversion of methyl C5 glycosides into methyl levulinate
was performed with dimethoxymethane/methanol as the cosolvent. A yield
of 12–30% of methyl levulinate yield (based on the methyl glycoside)
was achieved under these conditions. The remaining cellulose-rich
substrate showed enhanced susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis,
resulting in a yield of glucose of above 70%. Overall, the described
strategy shows practical implications for the effective valorization
of biomass.