Lewis acid-catalyzed depolymerization of soda lignin in supercritical ethanol/water mixtures

- Metal triflates explored as Lewis acid catalysts for lignin depolymerization.
- Ethanol/water mixtures used as solvent at 400 °C.
- Nearly complete depolymerization of soda lignin.
- Triflate anion crucial for depolymerization and deoxygenation of lignin.
- Di-aromatic model fragment studies elucidate mechanistic aspects.