Aldehyde-Assisted Lignocellulose Fractionation Provides Unique Lignin Oligomers for the Design of Tunable Polyurethane Bioresins.

Aldehyde-Assisted Lignocellulose Fractionation Provides Unique Lignin Oligomers for the Design of Tunable Polyurethane Bioresins.
Biomacromolecules. 2020 Aug 26;:
Authors: Vendamme R, Behaghel de Bueren JT, Gracia-Vitoria J, Isnard F, Monga Mulunda M, Ortiz P, Wadekar M, Vanbroekhoven K, Wegmann C, Buser R, HÃ Roguel F, Luterbacher JS, Eevers W
Abstract
Thanks to chemical stabilization, Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation (AAF) of lignocellulosic biomass has recently emerged as a powerful tool for the production of largely uncondensed lignin. Depolymerization of AAF lignin via ether cleavage provides aromatic monomers at near theoretical yields based on ether cleavage as well as an oligomeric fraction that remains largely unexploited despite its unique material properties. Here, we present an in-depth analytical characterization of AAF oligomers derived from hardwood and softwood in order to elucidate their molecular structures. These bioaromatic oligomers surpass technical Kraft lignin in terms of purity, solubility and functionality, and thus cannot even be compared to this common feedstock directly for material production. Instead, we performed comparative experiments with Kraft oligomers of similar molecular weight (Mn~1000) obtained through solvent extraction. These oligomers were then formulated into polyurethane materials. Substantial differences in material properties were observed depending on the amount of lignin, the botanica...

Source: Biomacromolecules - August 25, 2020 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Vendamme R, Behaghel de Bueren JT, Gracia-Vitoria J, Isnard F, Monga Mulunda M, Ortiz P, Wadekar M, Vanbroekhoven K, Wegmann C, Buser R, HÃ Roguel F, Luterbacher JS, Eevers W Tags: Biomacromolecules Source Type: research