Molybdenum-catalyzed hydrogenolysis of herbaceous biomass: A procedure integrated lignin fragmentation and components fractionation.

In this work, a low-cost MoO ₂ /C catalyst was prepared for the reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) of various herbaceous biomass feedstocks (Miscanthus, Triarrhena, Floridulus, Sorghum stem and Corncob). Phenolic monomers from the hydrogenolysis of lignin component were obtained in up to 26.4 wt%, with high selectivity towards methyl coumarate (33%) and methyl ferulate (24%). The RCF left solid carbohydrate pulps with high retentions (up to 87%), which were suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. The reaction conditions, including temperature, time, H ₂ pressure, and sawdust size were examined in terms of monophenols yield, selectivity, delignification and sugar retention. This study showed that MoO ₂ /C could function as an excellent catalyst for lignin fragmentation as well as the fractionation of herbaceous biomass components.
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