Catalytic oxygen atom transfer from lignin to cellulose and hemicellulose and its importance in biorefining

• Oxygen atom transfer from lignin to cellulose is proposed and confirmed.
• All polymers of biomass are hydrolyzed into small molecules in one-pot reaction.
• Lignin is converted quantitatively into small molecular aromatics.
• Cellulose and hemicellulose are transferred quantitatively into small organic acids.
• Small molecular aromatics can be converted into diesel blends in one-step.

A novel approach for biorefining is proposed and the proof of concept is accomplished. Catalytic oxygen atom transfer from non-oxidant lignin to cellulose or hemicellulose by organic chemicals is reported. As expected, the catalytic reaction is a novel method for the selective and quantitative hydrolytic depolymerization of lignocelluloses into liquid products in a one-pot reaction. Lignin is converted quantitatively into small molecular aromatics, simultaneously, cellulose and hemicellulose are converted quantitatively into small organic acids with lactic acid up to 50%. Small molecular aromatics can be converted into diesel blend via one-step methylation. Neither black tar formation nor gasification is observed in the catalytic oxygen atom transfer reactions, conversion of biomass to products is quantitative.

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