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DOE OSTI · 1978795

Lignin monomer conversion into biolubricant base oils

Ebikade, Elvis Osamudiamhen·Sadula, Sunitha·Liu, Sibao·Vlachos, Dionisios G.
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Abstract

Despite progress in the depolymerization of lignin, only a few studies convert the obtained monomers to value-added products. Here we introduce a strategy to synthesize branched benzene lubricant (BBL) and branched cyclic lubricant (BCL) base oils from lignin-derived monomers and aldehyde. We perform carbon–carbon coupling via Brønsted acid-catalyzed hydroxyalkylation/alkylation (HAA) then hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). Optimum HAA reaction conditions achieve up to 90% guaiacol conversion and an HAA product containing 76% BBL and 24% enal condensation product over a P-SiO 2 catalyst. Subsequent HDO of HAA products over an Ir-ReO x /SiO 2 catalyst produces a lubricant-ranged mixture of BCL (C 24 ) up to yield (82%) and small fractions of dodecyl cyclohexane and C 10 and C 15 carbons alkanes. The kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, and Noack volatility of these base oils are comparable to commercial petroleum-derived poly α-olefin Group IV and refrigerant base oils. In conclusion, this approach provides a sustainable pathway for replacing petroleum-derived base oils.

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRYbiomasschemistryhydrodeoxygenationhydroxyalkylation/alkylationligninlubricantsrenewable resourcessciencetechnologyvalorization

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Ebikade, Elvis Osamudiamhen, Sadula, Sunitha, Liu, Sibao, Vlachos, Dionisios G.. 2021-11-23. Lignin monomer conversion into biolubricant base oils. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1gc03350f

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