Catalytic Oxidation of Lignin Model Compounds using a Cobalt(III) Cubane Complex

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Lignocellulosic biomass is produced by nature as structural support in a variety of plants. The cellulose of lignocellulosic biomass is extracted and used industrially, yielding an abundance of lignins as a byproduct. Lignin provides a promising source of renewable energy given its abundance and relatively high specific energy. Lignin also provides an efficient source of aromatic carbon chemicals, which, are otherwise challenging to synthesize. The lignin’s structure is composed of a variety of subunits including coniferyl alcohol, p-coumaryl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol. The degradation of lignin into its subunits and the modification of these units present an interesting challenge. A variety of paths have been pursued towards optimization of lignin degradation; including enzymatic, catalytic, mechanical, electrical, photocatalytic and sonochemistry. We chose the catalytic approach. Catalyzed oxidation of lignin, is commonly greeted by the challenge of catalyst degradation. The catalyst degradation is often due to the volatile reaction conditions required. To ease the oxidation, we have synthesized a cobalt(III) cubane complex to be used as a catalyst. A lignin model compound, coniferyl alcohol, and Polymer A, a multi-unit compound, were oxidized using the catalyst. TLC, ESI mass spectrometry, and 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the products of these reaction.

Presenting Author Name/s

Joshua Bush

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Sandeep Kumar

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Catalysis and Reaction Engineering | Environmental Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry | Natural Resources and Conservation | Oil, Gas, and Energy | Organic Chemistry | Polymer Chemistry

Session Title

Poster Session

Location

Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Northwest Atrium

Start Date

2-3-2018 8:00 AM

End Date

2-3-2018 12:30 PM

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Feb 3rd, 8:00 AM Feb 3rd, 12:30 PM

Catalytic Oxidation of Lignin Model Compounds using a Cobalt(III) Cubane Complex

Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Northwest Atrium

Lignocellulosic biomass is produced by nature as structural support in a variety of plants. The cellulose of lignocellulosic biomass is extracted and used industrially, yielding an abundance of lignins as a byproduct. Lignin provides a promising source of renewable energy given its abundance and relatively high specific energy. Lignin also provides an efficient source of aromatic carbon chemicals, which, are otherwise challenging to synthesize. The lignin’s structure is composed of a variety of subunits including coniferyl alcohol, p-coumaryl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol. The degradation of lignin into its subunits and the modification of these units present an interesting challenge. A variety of paths have been pursued towards optimization of lignin degradation; including enzymatic, catalytic, mechanical, electrical, photocatalytic and sonochemistry. We chose the catalytic approach. Catalyzed oxidation of lignin, is commonly greeted by the challenge of catalyst degradation. The catalyst degradation is often due to the volatile reaction conditions required. To ease the oxidation, we have synthesized a cobalt(III) cubane complex to be used as a catalyst. A lignin model compound, coniferyl alcohol, and Polymer A, a multi-unit compound, were oxidized using the catalyst. TLC, ESI mass spectrometry, and 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the products of these reaction.