A review of lignin hydrogen peroxide oxidation chemistry with emphasis on aromatic aldehydes and acids

Abstract This review discusses the main factors that govern the oxidation processes of lignins into aromatic aldehydes and acids using hydrogen peroxide. Aromatic aldehydes and acids are produced in the oxidative degradation of lignin whereas mono and dicarboxylic acids are the main products. The stability of hydrogen peroxide under the reaction conditions is an important factor that needs to be addressed for selectively improving the yield of aromatic aldehydes. Hydrogen peroxide in the presence of heavy metal ions readily decomposes, leading to minor degradation of lignin. This degradation results in quinones which are highly reactive towards peroxide. Under these reaction conditions, the pH of the reaction medium defines the reaction mechanism and the product distribution. Under acidic conditions, hydrogen peroxide reacts electrophilically with electron rich aromatic and olefinic structures at comparatively higher temperatures. In contrast, under alkaline conditions it reacts nucleophilically with electron deficient carbonyl and conjugated carbonyl structures in lignin. The reaction pattern in the oxidation of lignin usually involves cleavage of the aromatic ring, the aliphatic side chain or other linkages which will be discussed in this review.