Paving the Way for Lignin Valorisation: Recent Advances in Bioengineering, Biorefining and Catalysis

Roberto Rinaldi; Robin Jastrzebski; Matthew T Clough; John Ralph; Marco Kennema; Pieter C A Bruijnincx; Bert M Weckhuysen

doi:10.1002/anie.201510351

Paving the Way for Lignin Valorisation: Recent Advances in Bioengineering, Biorefining and Catalysis

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2016 Jul 11;55(29):8164-215. doi: 10.1002/anie.201510351. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

Authors

Roberto Rinaldi¹, Robin Jastrzebski², Matthew T Clough³, John Ralph⁴, Marco Kennema³, Pieter C A Bruijnincx⁵, Bert M Weckhuysen⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK. rrinaldi@imperial.ac.uk.
² Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
³ Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
⁴ Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, the Wisconsin Energy Institute, and Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53726, USA. jralph@wisc.edu.
⁵ Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands. p.c.a.bruijnincx@uu.nl.
⁶ Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands. b.m.weckhuysen@uu.nl.

Abstract

Lignin is an abundant biopolymer with a high carbon content and high aromaticity. Despite its potential as a raw material for the fuel and chemical industries, lignin remains the most poorly utilised of the lignocellulosic biopolymers. Effective valorisation of lignin requires careful fine-tuning of multiple "upstream" (i.e., lignin bioengineering, lignin isolation and "early-stage catalytic conversion of lignin") and "downstream" (i.e., lignin depolymerisation and upgrading) process stages, demanding input and understanding from a broad array of scientific disciplines. This review provides a "beginning-to-end" analysis of the recent advances reported in lignin valorisation. Particular emphasis is placed on the improved understanding of lignin's biosynthesis and structure, differences in structure and chemical bonding between native and technical lignins, emerging catalytic valorisation strategies, and the relationships between lignin structure and catalyst performance.

Keywords: bioengineering; biorefining; catalysis; lignin; lignocellulose.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Biocatalysis
Bioengineering*
Biofuels*
Lignin / biosynthesis*
Lignin / chemistry
Lignin / isolation & purification

Substances

Biofuels
Lignin