Exploiting Nature's Most Abundant Polymers: Developing New Pathways for the Conversion of Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Lignin and Chitin into Platform Molecules (and Beyond)

Abstract

The four most prominent forms of biomass are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and chitin. In efforts to develop sustainable sources of platform molecules there has been an increasing focus on examining how these biopolymers could be exploited as feedstocks that support the chemical supply chain, including in the production of fine chemicals. Many different approaches are possible and some of the ones being developed in the authors’ laboratories are emphasised.

Lignin-based acrylate adhesive without organic solvent processing

“…Lignin is the second most abundant bio-macromolecule on Earth after cellulose. 1 It has three basic structures: guaiacol-based propane (type G), butyl propane (type S) and p -hydroxyphenyl propane (type H). 2 The three basic structures are linked by ether and C–C bonds and form a complex structure with a three-dimensional network rich in alcoholic hydroxyl groups, phenolic hydroxyl groups, carbonyl groups, carboxyl groups, methoxy and other types of reactive functional groups.…”

Depolymerization and Hydrogenation of Organosolv Eucalyptus Lignin by Using Nickel Raney Catalyst

“…Cellulose and hemicellulose can be isolated and transformed into a variety of chemicals or fuels through several methodologies [1][2][3][4][5].…”

“…The wt % of final liquid and solid with respect to the starting solution 2. The wt % of recovered gas with respect to the starting solution (sum of CO, CO 2 , CH 4 , C 2 H 6 , C 3 H 8 ) 3. ∑massout/∑massin.…”

“…The weight of the monomer is determined by its concentration × the volume of liquid phase 2. Contains also guaiacol, syringol, p-ethylguaiacol, 2-metossi, 4-propyl phenol 3. Butyl butanoate, 2-ethyl-2-hexenal, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 7-methyl-4-octanone.…”

Haber-independent, asymmetric synthesis of the marine alkaloid epi-leptosphaerin from a chitin-derived chiral pool synthon

“…10 Moreover, chitin is readily available from the several million tonnes of shellfish waste generated annually by the global seafood industry 11 and estimates infer that biogenic production exceeds 100 billion tonnes per year. 12 Over the past few years, several reports describing the valorisation of chitin (or its monomer, NAG) into N-platforms have appeared, [13][14][15][16][17] one of the most interesting being 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF). 18 We have showcased the utility of 3A5AF in the synthesis of several N-scaffolds in a Haber-independent manner (Scheme 1), including the natural product proximicin A, 19 3-azafurans 1 20,21 and novel heteroaromatic scaffolds 2.…”