Evidence for room temperature delignification of wood using hydrogen peroxide and manganese acetate as a catalyst

▸ Mn(OAc)3 catalyzes wood delignification with hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. ▸ Poplar sections turned into a fine powder within 4 days and without agitation. ▸ Raman microscopy showed the preferential oxidation of lignin-rich middle lamellae. ▸ Pretreatment for 2, 4, 7 days at room temperature led to improved glucose yields. ▸ This method could be a mild, inexpensive pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass.