Modified sulfuric acid and uses thereof
A one-pot processes to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock include providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising a heterocyclic compound, and a peroxide; and exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.
1. A one-pot process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, the process comprising:
providing a vessel;
providing a lignocellulosic feedstock;
providing a composition comprising:
an acid;
a modifying agent comprising a heterocyclic compound; and
a peroxide; and
exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.
2. The process of claim 1 , further comprising separating and removing a liquid phase comprising dissolved lignin fragments from a solid phase comprising cellulose fibres.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the acid is sulfuric acid.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the peroxide is hydrogen peroxide.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the period of time is sufficient to remove at least 90% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the period of time is sufficient to remove at least 95% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the composition prior to the step of exposing it to the lignocellulosic feedstock is below 50° C.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the composition prior to the step of exposing it to the lignocellulosic feedstock is below 40° C.
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein the method process is carried out at ambient temperature and/or ambient pressure.
10. The process of claim 1 , wherein the composition has an acid to heterocyclic compound molar ratio ranging from 5:1 to 30:1.
11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the composition has an acid to peroxide molar ratio of 1:1.
12. The process of claim 1 , wherein the heterocyclic compound is selected from the group consisting of imidazole, N-methylimidazole, triazole, pyrrole, pyrazine, benzotriazole, quinoline and combinations thereof.
13. The process of claim 1 , wherein the heterocyclic compound is selected from the group consisting of imidazole and N-methylimidazole.
14. The process of claim 1 , wherein the heterocyclic compound is imidazole.