Oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 bonds in lignin model compounds with a single-atom Co catalyst?

Green Chemistry Pub Date: 2019-03-08 DOI: 10.1039/C9GC00293F

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts are emerging as primary catalysts for many reactions due to their 100% utilization of active metal centers leading to high catalytic efficiencies. Herein, we report the use of a single-atom Co catalyst for the oxidative cleavage of the β-O-4 bonds of lignin model compounds at a low oxygen pressure. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the conversion of 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-phenylethanol up to 95% with high selectivities was achieved with a variety of substrates investigated. The reusability of the Co catalyst with a high catalytic efficiency indicates its potential application in the oxidative cleavage of C–O bonds.

Graphical abstract: Oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 bonds in lignin model compounds with a single-atom Co catalyst
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