This research demonstrates lignin depolymerization via a bimetallic gold/palladium catalyst, indicating effective multi-reactivity and light modulation.
Lignin depolymerization is proposed using a bimetallic gold/palladium functionalized TiO2 catalyst. The multi-reactivity of this catalyst is controlled by the wavelength, reaction atmosphere (nitrogen or oxygen), and hydrogen source. First, the oxidation of benzyl hydroxyls of lignin is initiated using 532 nm light under aerobic conditions, where the gold/palladium nanoparticle is the active catalyst. Secondly, photocleavage of the α-(aryloxy) acetophenone moiety was activated using UV light under an inert, hydrogen-saturated environment; in this step, TiO2 is the active catalyst. Finally, hydrogenolysis of ether bonds was performed by green light irradiation, where the gold/ palladium nanoparticles are the active catalyst. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) analysis of the reaction mixtures indicated depolymerization using one catalyst in the light-modulated multi-step approach. Monomers, dimers, and 2,6-di-tert-butyl methyl phenol were the major products.
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Crites et al. (2025) studied this question.
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