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Updated: Sep 18, 2026

Extraction of Lignin with High β-O-4 Content by Mild Ethanol Extraction and Its Effect on the Depolymerization Yield
Published on: January 7, 2019
Carbon-carbon bond cleavage for lignin and plastics deconstruction
Davide Rigo1,2, Brandon L Frey1,3, Alison Sy-Min Chang1
1Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO, USA.
Abstract:
The cleavage of C-O bonds has enabled significant progress in both lignin valorization and recycling of polyester plastics. However, for the more recalcitrant fraction(s) of these feedstocks - namely, C-C linkages found in lignin and polymer backbones - the selective cleavage of C-C bonds remains a critical challenge. Selective cleavage of these bonds is essential to enhance both the carbon efficiency and economic viability of biorefining and plastics deconstruction to value-added products. This review provides an overview of the available methodologies for C-C bond cleavage useful for lignin and plastics deconstruction, with particular focus on accessible reaction mechanisms. Methods for C-C bond cleavage from other areas of chemistry are considered alongside approaches specifically applied to lignin and plastics. We provide perspective on promising C-C bond cleavage methods, substrate classes, engineering considerations, and guidelines for reporting C-C bond cleavage yields.
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