Methods of selectively modifying lignin, polycarboxylated products thereof, and methods of deriving aromatic compounds therefrom. The methods comprise electrochemically oxidizing lignin using stable nitroxyl radicals to selectively oxidize primary hydroxyls on β-O-4 phenylpropanoid units to corresponding carboxylic acids while leaving the secondary hydroxyls unchanged. The oxidation results in polycarboxylated lignin in the form of a polymeric β-hydroxy acid. The polymeric β-hydroxy acid has a high loading of carboxylic acid and can be isolated in acid form, deprotonated, and/or converted to a salt. The β-hydroxy acid, anion, or salt can also be subjected to acidolysis to generate various aromatic monomers or oligomers. The initial oxidation of lignin to the polycarboxylated form renders the lignin more susceptible to acidolysis and thereby enhances the yield of aromatic monomers and oligomers obtained through acidolysis.
选择性修改
木质素的方法,其聚
羧酸产物,以及从中获得芳香化合物的方法。该方法包括使用稳定的亚硝基自由基电
化学氧化
木质素,以选择性氧化β-O-4苯
丙烯醇单元上的主要羟基为相应的
羧酸,同时保持次要羟基不变。氧化结果形成聚
羧酸木质素,以聚合物β-羟基酸的形式存在。聚合物β-羟基酸具有高负载的
羧酸,可以以酸形式分离,去质子化和/或转化为盐。β-羟基酸,阴离子或盐也可以经过酸解来生成各种芳香单体或寡聚体。将
木质素最初氧化为聚
羧酸形式使
木质素更易受到酸解的影响,从而增加通过酸解获得的芳香单体和寡聚体的产量。