Cover Feature: Isolation of β-O-4-Rich Lignin From Birch in High Yields Enabled by Continuous-Flow Supercritical Water Treatment (ChemSusChem 1/2025)

Abstract

The Cover Feature shows how continuous-flow supercritical water treatment of birch followed by alkali extraction of lignin allowed the isolation of lignin and lignin carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) in 13–19 wt % yield with respect to the initial woody biomass with a high number of β-O-4 moieties up to 57/100 Ar. Such an approach may be extended to other biomass feedstocks, enabling the isolation of non-degraded lignins/LCCs with tunable structure and properties. More information can be found in the Research Article by D. Rigo, E. Capanema and co-workers. Cover design: Eric Gabriel.