Tandem Extraction and Catalytic Depolymerization of Lignin from Lignocellulose Yielding Lignin Oil and Holocellulose

Through catalytic hydrogen transfer reactions, we demonstrated a catalytic biorefining method that results in the isolation of depolymerized lignins—as lignin oils—in addition to holocelluloses amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis. Compared with organosolv lignin, the downstreaming processing of the lignin oils is possible under low-severity conditions.