Product-oriented decomposition of lignocellulose catalyzed by novel polyoxometalates-ionic liquid mixture

Lignocellulose was oxidatively decomposed in a newly developed polyoxometalates-imidazolium ionic liquid mixture. Aromatic compounds covering acids, esters, ketones, aldehydes, and phenols were selectively produced under various conditions. 4-Hydroxylbenzoic acid was dominatingly yielded under low temperature and high oxidant concentration. Phenolic compounds were mainly generated at high temperature with a selectivity of 45.1% and a yield of 4.3%, higher than those generated in similar polyoxometalates-ionic liquids system. The products distributions and residues of lignocellulose decomposition under various conditions were characterized; the influences of the ionic liquids anions on the polyoxometalates-ionic liquids complex formation, the acidic and redox properties of the catalyst, and the final products were profoundly investigated; and a tentative reacting process was proposed. The ionic liquid could be recycled for five times. This work not only provided a new lignocellulose decomposition strategy to produce aromatic products, but also offered a guidance for product-oriented lignocellulose decomposition.