Upgrading lignin from lignin-containing residues through reactive extraction

• Main Authors: Capanema, Ewellyn A, Balakshin, Mikhail Y, Colakyan, Manuk, Lipiecki, Francis
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.10.2016
• Subjects: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOIDCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; METALLURGY; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS; TRANSPORTING

Disclosed are methods of functionalizing lignin using reactive extraction. The invention also generally relates to functionalized lignin. An examplary method for producing functionalized lignin is disclosed, which comprises: providing a residue comprising lignin and cellulose; subjecting the residue to a liquid comprising an organic compound, thereby forming a first mixture; wherein the subjecting is performed at a first temperature of about 100°C or less; and wherein the first mixture comprises: a first liquid fraction comprising solubilized functionalized lignin, wherein the solubilized functionalized lignin is functionalized with the organic compound; and a first solid fraction comprising cellulose.