Strategies for the Conversion of Lignin to High Value Polymeric Materials: Review and Perspective.
The majority of commodity plastics and materials are derived from petroleum based chemicals, illustrating the strong dependence on products derived from non renewable energy sources. As the most accessible, renewable form of carbon (in comparison to CO2) lignocellulosic biomass (defined as organic matter available on a renewable basis) has been acknowledged as the most logical carbon based feedstock for a variety of materials such as biofuels and chemicals. This Review focuses on methods developed to synthesize polymers derived from lignin, monolignols, and lignin derived chemicals. Major topics include the structure and processing of lignocellulosic biomass to lignin, polymers utilizing lignin as a macromonomer, synthesis of monomers and polymers from monolignols, and polymers from lignin derived chemicals, such as vanillin.
Chemical reviews