Lignin valorization in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvent via catalysis and biocatalysis
This invention relates to a method for extracting valorized compounds from lignin by contacting lignins with an ionic liquid and/or a deep eutectic solvent and adding a catalyst and/or a biocatalyst to assist in breaking down the source material. Converting lignin into high value chemicals adds revenues for a bio-refinery and helps to improve the economic viability of biofuel production.
1. A method for extracting compounds from lignin comprising contacting a lignin source with an ionic liquid (IL) and a deep eutectic solvent (DES); adding a catalyst thereto; allowing time for decomposition; and, extracting valorized compounds from the IL and DES mixture.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst comprises a transition metal or oxide thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst comprises Cu, Mn, Mg, Co, Zn, Fe, Ti, Cr, and Ni or oxides thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is characterized by the general formula of ABO 3 where A is a rare earth, alkaline earth, alkali, or large ion cations; and B is cations of transition metals.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a polyoxometalate (POMs) of Group V and VI metals.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the metal is W, Mo, V, and Nb.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a biocatalyst.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the biocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of laccases, peroxidases, LMPOs, xylanases, and LigA-G.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the biocatalyst is a laccase.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the laccase is of a fungal, bacterial, archaeal, recombinant source, or combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the biocatalyst comprises a lignolytic microbe.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the lignolytic microbe is a yeast, E. coli , rodoccocus, or engineered microbes that are designed to depolymerize lignin, or combination thereof.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lignin source is Kraft, organosolv, alkaline, acid, lignosulfate, or combinations thereof.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the process occurs in a free solution.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the process occurs on a supported surface.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the supported surface is a membrane, biofilm, zeolite, or MOF.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the process occurs in a single reaction chamber.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the process occurs in a reactor with a membrane to isolate the by-products.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the process occurs under a pH in the range of 1-12, a temperature in the range of 2-200° C. and a pressure in the range of 0-200 psi.