Impact of Ionic Liquid 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Acetate Mediated Extraction on Lignin Features

This study aims at investigating the impact of ionic liquid extraction on lignin structure by studying the mechanism of lignin depolymerization in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate EMIM[OAc]) and comparing it with that of organosolv and milled wood methods. Ionic liquid mediated lignin (ILL) using EMIM[OAc]), ethanol organosolv lignin (EOL) and milled wood lignin (MWL) were isolated from Typha capensis (TC) and subjected to several analytical characterizations. Experimental data shows that ILL exhibited a relatively lower degree of condensation, lower aromatic C-C structures and a higher aliphatic OH with values of 0.42/Ar, 1.94/Ar and 1.33/Ar moieties compared with EOL values of 0.92/Ar, 2.22/Ar and 0.51/Ar moieties respectively. The ILL was depolymerized under mild conditions giving relatively higher β-aryl ether linkages content, higher molecular mass, and exhibited closer structures and reactivity to native lignin than EOL. These insights on TC lignin depolymerization in EMIM[OAc]) acetate may contribute to better value-addition of lignocellulosic biomass.