biostudies-literatureda Cruz MGACOMET InTribology projectSwedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental ResearchCarl Tryggers Stiftelse för Vetenskaplig ForskningAC2T research GmbHStiftelsen för Miljöstrategisk Forskninge202200718https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9545899biostudies-literatureUnknown15(15)Breaking down lignin into smaller units is the key to generate high value-added products. Nevertheless, dissolving this complex plant polyphenol in an environment-friendly way is often a challenge. Levulinic acid, which is formed during the hydrothermal processing of lignocellulosic biomass, has been shown to efficiently dissolve lignin. Herein, levulinic acid was evaluated as a medium for the reductive electrochemical depolymerization of the lignin macromolecule. Copper was chosen as the electrocatalyst due to the economic feasibility and low activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. After depolymerization, high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed lignin-derived monomers and dimers. A predominance of aryl ether and phenolic groups was observed. Depolymerized lignin was further evaluated as an anti-corrosion coating, revealing enhancements on the electrochemical stability of the metal. Via a simple depolymerization process of biomass waste in a biomass-based solvent, a straightforward approach to produce high value-added compounds or tailored biobased materials was demonstrated.ChemSusChemElectrochemical Depolymerization of Lignin in a Biomass-based Solvent.PMC95458998721762018/11CTS 39: 194Gueret RBudnyk Sda Cruz MGAChen JPiatek JFrauscher MSipponen MHRodrigues BVMBeele BSlabon AfalseElectrochemical Depolymerization of Lignin in a Biomass-based Solvent.Breaking down lignin into smaller units is the key to generate high value-added products. Nevertheless, dissolving this complex plant polyphenol in an environment-friendly way is often a challenge. Levulinic acid, which is formed during the hydrothermal processing of lignocellulosic biomass, has been shown to efficiently dissolve lignin. Herein, levulinic acid was evaluated as a medium for the reductive electrochemical depolymerization of the lignin macromolecule. Copper was chosen as the electrocatalyst due to the economic feasibility and low activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. After depolymerization, high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed lignin-derived monomers and dimers. A predominance of aryl ether and phenolic groups was observed. Depolymerized lignin was further evaluated as an anti-corrosion coating, revealing enhancements on the electrochemical stability of the metal. Via a simple depolymerization process of biomass waste in a biomass-based solvent, a straightforward approach to produce high value-added compounds or tailored biobased materials was demonstrated.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Aug2025-04-05T20:11:16.713Z2025-04-05T20:11:16.713ZS-EPMC95458993560879810.1002/cssc.202200718