La-modified SBA-15/H2O2 systems for the microwave assisted oxidation of organosolv beech wood lignin

In this manuscript, the influence of organosolv beech wood lignin (LOB) on its oxidative conversion to high added-value phenolic aldehydes is discussed. Environmental friendly and low-cost H2O2 was used as the oxygen atom donor. The catalyst was prepared by immobilizing Lanthanum compounds onto the periodic mesoporous channels of siliceous SBA-15. The activity of the La/SBA-15 was investigated towards oxidation of LOB in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant with microwave irradiation. Considering the characteristics of LOB, an unexpected low syringaldehyde concentration at 10min of reaction time (1.47 g/L, corresponding to 15.66% yield) was obtained; the other major product was vanillin at 25min (0.78 g/L, i.e., 9.94% yield). The high reactivity of syringyl nuclei may be pointed out as the main reason for the faster production and degradation of syringaldehyde in oxidation. Other low molecular weight phenolic products were found: vanillic acid, syringic acid and minor quantities of aceto-derivatives. The profile of products concentration with the reaction time of catalytic oxidation with microwave irradiation are shown and discussed with reference to the investigated lignin features. The mechanism of the microwave catalytic oxidation for LOB under alkaline conditions was proposed.