Applications of lignin-derived catalysts for green synthesis

Abstract

This review intends to introduce the application of lignin-derived catalyst for green organic synthesis over latest two decades and aims to present a renewable alternative for conventional catalyst for future industry application. The structure of lignin is initially introduced in this review. Then, various pretreatment and activation technologies of lignin are systematically presented, which includes physical activation for the formation of well-developed porosity and chemical activation to introduce catalytic active sites. Finally, the catalytic performances of various lignin-derived catalysts are rationally assessed and compared with conventional catalysts, which involves lignin-derived solid acids for hydrolysis, hydration, dehydration (trans)esterification, multi-component reaction and condensation, lignin-derived solid base for Knoevenagel reaction, lignin-derived electro-catalysts for electro-oxidation, oxygen reduction reaction, and lignin-derived supported transition metal catalysts for hydrogenation, oxidation, coupling reaction, tandem reaction, condensation reaction, ring-opening reaction, Friedel-Crafts-type reaction, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, click reaction, Glaser reaction, cycloaddition and (trans)esterification. The above lignin-derived catalysts thus successfully promote the transformations of organic compounds, carbon dioxide, biomass-based cellulose, saccharide and vegetable oil into valuable chemicals and fuels. At the end of this review, some perspectives are given on the current issues and tendency on the lignin-derived catalysts for green chemistry. Keywords: Catalyst, Green chemistry, Lignin, Pretreatment, Synthesis