Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic Products
The depolymerization of lignin represents a promising strategy for its efficient utilization as a precursor for industrial raw materials. However, achieving both high efficiency and environmental sustainability remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present an aqueous electrochemical app...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2544 |
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| author | Yanbing Liu Lucie M. Lindenbeck Marcella Frauscher Björn B. Beele Bruno V. Manzolli Rodrigues Adam Slabon |
| author_facet | Yanbing Liu Lucie M. Lindenbeck Marcella Frauscher Björn B. Beele Bruno V. Manzolli Rodrigues Adam Slabon |
| author_sort | Yanbing Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The depolymerization of lignin represents a promising strategy for its efficient utilization as a precursor for industrial raw materials. However, achieving both high efficiency and environmental sustainability remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present an aqueous electrochemical approach employing nickel as an electrocatalyst, enabling both depolymerization and partial de-aromatization of Kraft lignin under mild reaction conditions. Using an aqueous sodium carbonate medium, room temperature and ambient pressure, we achieved lignin depolymerization over reaction times ranging from 5 to 20 h. Characterization by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the formation of aliphatic products such as acetate and formate, while high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) confirmed the formation of a wide range of phenolic compounds. The conversion of lignin into valuable aromatic and aliphatic compounds offers a promising pathway for the synthesis of a wide range of organic chemicals and their subsequent industrial utilization, thereby supporting the development of a more sustainable economy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-86c898eacd644bb48fddec9ddf3ed088 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-86c898eacd644bb48fddec9ddf3ed0882025-08-20T03:29:44ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013012254410.3390/molecules30122544Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic ProductsYanbing Liu0Lucie M. Lindenbeck1Marcella Frauscher2Björn B. Beele3Bruno V. Manzolli Rodrigues4Adam Slabon5Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaussstraße 20, 42119 Wuppertal, GermanyInorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaussstraße 20, 42119 Wuppertal, GermanyAC2T Research GmbH, Viktor Kaplan-Straße 2/c, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, AustriaInorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaussstraße 20, 42119 Wuppertal, GermanyInorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaussstraße 20, 42119 Wuppertal, GermanyInorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaussstraße 20, 42119 Wuppertal, GermanyThe depolymerization of lignin represents a promising strategy for its efficient utilization as a precursor for industrial raw materials. However, achieving both high efficiency and environmental sustainability remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present an aqueous electrochemical approach employing nickel as an electrocatalyst, enabling both depolymerization and partial de-aromatization of Kraft lignin under mild reaction conditions. Using an aqueous sodium carbonate medium, room temperature and ambient pressure, we achieved lignin depolymerization over reaction times ranging from 5 to 20 h. Characterization by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the formation of aliphatic products such as acetate and formate, while high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) confirmed the formation of a wide range of phenolic compounds. The conversion of lignin into valuable aromatic and aliphatic compounds offers a promising pathway for the synthesis of a wide range of organic chemicals and their subsequent industrial utilization, thereby supporting the development of a more sustainable economy.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2544lignindepolymerizationelectrocatalysisnickel<i>Green Chemistry</i> |
| spellingShingle | Yanbing Liu Lucie M. Lindenbeck Marcella Frauscher Björn B. Beele Bruno V. Manzolli Rodrigues Adam Slabon Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic Products Molecules lignin depolymerization electrocatalysis nickel <i>Green Chemistry</i> |
| title | Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic Products |
| title_full | Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic Products |
| title_fullStr | Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic Products |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic Products |
| title_short | Nickel-Driven Electrochemical Upgrading of Kraft Lignin to Value-Added Aliphatic and Phenolic Products |
| title_sort | nickel driven electrochemical upgrading of kraft lignin to value added aliphatic and phenolic products |
| topic | lignin depolymerization electrocatalysis nickel <i>Green Chemistry</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2544 |
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