Design, fabrication, and application of amphiphilic polyoxometalate nano-catalystswith multiple active centers for one-pot targeting transformation of biomass into platform chemical
It is of great interest and theoretical and practical importance to develop new pathways for low-cost, high-selectivity conversion of lignin into monoeric phenolic compounds. This proposal aims to design and fabricate amphiphilic polyoxometlates (POMs) nano-catalysts bearing multiple active centers with tailorable redox potential, Brønsted acidity, and Lewis acidity, for sequential depolymerization and conversion of lignin model compounds and hardwood lignin into monoeric phenolic chemicals under mild conditions. Specific research tasks and key scientific problems to address include: (1) investigate the effects of the redox, acidity, structure, and activity of the POMs on the targeting and selective transformation of lignin and understand the catalytic and synergetic mechanisms of the active centers;(2) establish the cleavage mechanisms of ß-O-4 bondby amphiphilic POMs;(3) study mass transfer during the catalysis with one-pot system under mild conditions, optimize process parameters, , and develop strategies for products separation and refining; (4) establish methods for POMs regeneration and recycling/reuse.