Cracking aryl ether bonds of lignin by γ-valerolactone (GVL) in coordination with acid lithium bromide molten salt system

The chemical bond cleavage of lignin is a research focus for achieving depolymerized lignin for such applications as adhesives, fuels, fertilizers, etc. The depolymerization of an industrially available sustainable material, i.e., industrial alkali lignin, in LiBr·3H₂O/HBr-γ-valerolactone (GVL) was systematically investigated in this study. It was observed that using 3/1 mL/g of HBr/lignin and 8/1 mL/g of GVL/lignin at 110 °C for 90 min, i.e., optimized conditions, resulted in lignin derivatives with an M_w of 1889 g/mol and M_n of 895 g/mol. The characteristics of the products were studied using FTIR, NMR, SEM, and DLS techniques. The results confirmed that the Hibbert-ketone end group was formed, while the structure of the aromatic ring was not changed on the depolymerized lignin. After the depolymerization process, the hydroxyl content in lignin increased from 1.91 mmol/g to 2.96 mmol/g. The product derived from the LiBr·3H₂O/HBr-GVL depolymerization system displayed a spherical particle morphology. The addition of GVL to lignin depolymerization processes improved the bonding between lignin and inorganic molten salts, thereby promoting the acid-catalyzed cleavage of aryl ether bonds in lignin. Current research supports the conclusion that LiBr·3H₂O/HBr-GVL lignin depolymerization is a sustainable and effective chemical pathway for generating depolymerized lignin.