The Efficient and Directional Electrocatalytic Depolymerization of Α-O-4 Bond in Lgnin by Auxiliary Electrolyte

Lignin is the renewable aromatic compound resource in nature. By preparing low molecular weight aromatic compounds through depolymerization of lignin, the dependence on fossil resources such as petroleum and coal can be reduced. The electrocatalytic depolymerization method has garnered increasing attention in recent times due to the green and mild nature. The study aims to investigate the electrocatalytic depolymerization of α-O-4 bond in lignin, using benzyl phenyl ether(BPE) as lignin model compounds, and tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF4) as an auxiliary electrolyte, without the addition of other oxidants. The findings revealed that the conversion rate of BPE reached 95.7%, while the yield of benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal was 92.4% under optimal conditions. TBABF4 exhibited notable efficacy in depolymerizing substrates, and displayed a high degree of product selectivity and minimal generation of by-products. This study indicated the efficient depolymerization of lignin model molecules via a electrochemical catalytic depolymerization pathway at ambient conditions.