Fabrication and application of amphiphilic polyoxometalate catalyst (CTA)nH5-nPMo10V2O40 for transformation of lignin into aromatic chemicals

Conversion of renewable lignin into bio-aromatic chemicals offers a sustainable pathway to increase biorefinery profitability. However, the catalytic transformation of lignin into monomers remains a highly challenging task due to the complexity and stability of the lignin structure. In this study, a series of micellar molybdovanadophosphoric polyoxometalate (POM) catalysts, (CTA)nH5-nPMo10V2O40 (n = 1–5), were prepared by the ion exchange method and applied as oxidative catalysts for birch lignin depolymerization. These catalysts showed efficient cleavage of C-O/C-C bonds in lignin, and the introduction of an amphiphilic structure facilitated the generation of monomer products. The best catalytic activity was observed at 150 °C within 150 min under a 1.5 MPa oxygen atmosphere over (CTA)1H4PMo10V2O40, which yielded a maximum lignin oil yield of 48.7 % and lignin monomer yield of 13.5 %. We also employed phenolic and nonphenolic lignin dimer model compounds to explore the reaction pathway and demonstrated the selective cleavage of CC and/or CO lignin bonds. Moreover, these micellar catalysts have excellent recyclability and stability as heterogeneous catalysts, which can be used up to five times. The application of amphiphilic polyoxometalate catalysts facilitates the valorization of lignin, and we expect to develop a novel and practical strategy for harvesting aromatic compounds.