Electrochemical Conversion of Lignin Model Compounds

Electrochemical conversion of biomass, including lignin, is one possible means of generating industrial chemicals like aromatic compounds from a renewable raw material. The complexity of much of this raw material, however, makes controlling the major product classes difficult. To complicate matters, in many cases the primary reaction mechanism is not clear. Indeed, there may be several competing reaction pathways. It may be that during early-stage research efforts, clearer information can be achieved by investigating electrochemical conversion of smaller, more simple model compounds that share some common features with the larger biomass polymer. In this study, we investigate electrochemical conversion of lignin model compounds on non-precious metal electrocatalysts with subsequent analysis using techniques including GC-MS. We investigate possible electrochemical oxidation mechanisms, including whether the dominant mechanism may be driven by hydroxyl radical mediation. The focus of this talk will be on the electrochemical process and analysis of the products leading to identification of the most likely reaction pathways.