Oxidative Catalytic Depolymerization of Technical Lignins to Vanillin(derivatives) Using Polyoxometalate Catalysts

The transition from fossil-based resources to renewable feedstocks is a cornerstone of industrial decarbonization. A critical component of this shift lies in deriving intermediates and value-added products from biomass. Among renewable resources, lignin stands out as a promising candidate due to its wide availability, abundance, and non-competitiveness with food production, making it an ideal starting material. The removal and depolymerization of lignin to produce aromatic chemicals can significantly enhance the material usability of all lignocellulose constituents. The removal and depolymerization of lignin to produce aromatic chemicals can significantly enhance the material usability of all lignocellulose constituents. Herein, a process for the polyoxometalate-catalyzed oxidative depolymerization of technical lignins to produce the monoaromatic compounds vanillin (Va), methyl vanillate (MeVa), syringaldehyde (Sy), and methyl syringate (MeSy) is demonstrated, offering the possibility to achive high monoaromatic yields of up to 12wt%.