Controlling the selectivity to chemicals from catalytic depolymerization of kraft lignin with in-situ H2.

Catalytic depolymerization of kraft lignin was successfully carried out in isopropanol/water mixture system over Rh/La2O3/CeO2-ZrO2 catalyst at 373 °C for 2 h with Fe as reductant. The selectivity of in-situ H2 was increasing from 67 wt% to 98 wt% by changing the proportion of isopropanol and water with metal Fe. A one-to-one correspondence was established between liquid products distribution and H2. It was an efficient method for predicting the composition of the liquid oil by H2 selectivity detection or converting kraft lignin to desirable liquid products optionally, which administered to reduce the dependence on the specific catalysts. Other temperatures and catalysts were a viable option for the relationship.