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Phenols from Lignin
Author(s) -
Kleinert M.,
Barth T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.200800073
Subject(s) - lignin , raw material , biomass (ecology) , renewable energy , lignocellulosic biomass , chemistry , organic chemistry , biofuel , pulp and paper industry , waste management , engineering , oceanography , electrical engineering , geology
Lignin accounts for approximately 25–35 % of the organic matrix of wood and lignocellulosic biomass in itself is the most abundant renewable material on the planet. It has long been recognized as a potential feedstock for producing chemicals, fuels, and materials. Despite this excellent availabilty of lignin it is a low value compound and has so far mainly been used as energy source in combustion applications. Less than 5 % are being processed for other purposes. This article discusses the potential for an increased use of lignin as a renewable raw material, possible conversion routes towards monomeric phenolic compounds, and applications for these products. A brief overview about present state‐of‐the‐art is given and a high‐yielding, one‐step approach of producing alkylated phenolic compounds from lignin is presented.