Integrated Process for Vanillin and Syringaldehyde Production from Kraft Lignin

Abstract

Lignin is one of the main components of pulping liquors; its heterogeneous molecular structure constitutes a valuable source of chemicals, particularly phenolics. However, lignin depolymerization with selective bond cleavage is the major challenge for converting it into value-added chemicals and to accomplish its subsequent valorization. One of the routes for the potential evaluation of lignin as source of syringaldehyde (Sy) and vanillin (V) is toward environmentally friendly processes as oxidation with O2. In this chapter, the performance of oxidative depolymerization of lignins and black liquors from different sources is evaluated. The effect of reaction conditions on the product yield and the study of kinetic laws were also detailed.