Catalytic depolymerization of alkali lignin in subcritical water: influence of formic acid and Pd/C catalyst on the yields of liquid monomeric aromatic products

Alkali lignin was subjected to depolymerization in subcritical water at 265 degrees C, 6.5 MPa for reaction times between 1-6 h in a batch reactor and in the presence of formic acid (FA) and Pd/C catalyst. The oil products were extracted into diethyl ether and contained >90% of single-ring phenolic compounds. The reaction of lignin in subcritical water alone yielded 22.3 wt% oil containing 56% guaiacol as the main product. A maximum oil yield of 33.1 wt% was obtained when the lignin was reacted in the presence of formic acid alone. In the presence of FA, catechol became the predominant compound, with more than 80% of the ether extract after 6 h. The conversion of guaiacol to catechol in the presence of formic acid suggested the hydrolysis of O-CH3 ether bonds. In addition, the yields of alkyl guaiacols increased in the presence of FA. The use of 5 wt% Pd/C catalyst with FA slightly decreased the yields of oil products but led to compounds indicative of hydrogenolysis of aryl-O ether bonds as well as hydrogenation of C=C bonds.