Enhanced oxidative depolymerization of lignin in cooperative imidazolium-based ionic liquid binary mixtures.

The aerobic oxidation of lignin model 2-phenoxyacetophenone (2-PAP) in cooperative ionic liquid mixtures (CoILs) with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([CCim]OAc) and 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BCim]NTf) was investigated. Complete degradation of 2-PAP was achieved with [CCim]OAc/[BCim]NTf molar ratio (R) of 1/1 and 1/2 at 100 °C for 2 h. The conversion and product yields from CoILs were higher than those in pure ILs, indicating the cooperative effects of [CCim]OAc/[BCim]NTf on cleaving aryl-ether bonds.

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ionic liquid as simple and efficient catalytic system for the oxidative depolymerization of alkali lignin.

The oxidative depolymerization of alkali lignin (AL) in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([CCim]OAc) system without additional catalyst was investigated under mild conditions (initial O pressure of 1.5 MPa, 80 °C-100 °C). Compared with other ionic liquids (ILs), the cooperation of imidazolium cation and acetate anion successfully enhanced AL conversion.

Characterization of lignin streams during ionic liquid/hydrochloric acid/formaldehyde pretreatment of corn stalk.

This work investigated the role of formaldehyde (FA) in lignin anti-condensation during corn stalk pretreatment based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([CCim]Cl)/hydrochloric acid (HCl). As a result of the aldolization reactions between FA and lignin, the condensation of lignin fragments was inhibited, and lignin remained in soluble fragmental molecules. Characterizations on the compositional and structural changes of lignin and its degraded products during pretreatment (80 °C-100 °C, 2-5 h) with FA addition in comparison with those in DO/HCl/FA or [CCim]Cl/HCl were conducted.

Water addition enhanced thermal stability of alkylimidazolium acetate in Ionosolv treatment of lignin.

Water addition was found to enhance the thermal stability of alkylimidazolium-acetate ionic liquids (ILs). Especially in the case of high water content (30-50 wt%), few decomposition products can be observed in the H NMR spectra even after treatment for 24 h at 150 °C. On the basis of this finding, lignin treatment of water and acetate IL mixtures (50-90 wt% IL content) were investigated at 150 °C.

Understanding lignin treatment in dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquid-water mixtures.

The treatment of enzymatically hydrolyzed lignin (EHL) in dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL)-water mixtures (50-100wt% IL content) was investigated at 150°C for 3h. pH, IL type, and IL content were found to greatly influence the degradation of lignin and the structure of regenerated lignin. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfonate-water mixtures with low pH facilitated lignin depolymerization but destroyed the regenerated lignin substructure.

Lignin dissolution in dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquid-water mixtures.

Lignin dissolution in dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL)-water mixtures (40wt%-100wt% IL content) at 60°C was investigated. The IL content and type are found to considerably affect lignin solubility. For the IL-water mixtures except 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C4C1im]BF4), the maximum lignin solubility can be achieved at 70wt% IL content.

Collagen/cellulose hydrogel beads reconstituted from ionic liquid solution for Cu(II) adsorption.

A novel adsorbent, biodegradable collagen/cellulose hydrogel beads (CCHBs), was prepared by reconstitution from a 1-butyl, 3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl) solution. The adsorption properties of the CCHBs for Cu(II) ion removal from aqueous solutions were investigated and compared with those of cellulose hydrogel beads (CHBs). The CCHBs have a three-dimensional macroporous structure whose amino groups are believed to be the main active binding sites of Cu(II) ions.

[Determination of the solubility parameter of organosolv lignin by inverse gas chromatography].

An inverse gas chromatographic (IGC) method has been used to measure the solubility parameters (delta2) of organosolv lignin at the absolute temperatures from 333.15 K to 373.15 K.

Expression of biologically active human insulin-like growth factor 1 in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds via oleosin fusion technology.

Novel protein expression in plant-based systems has become an important tool in producing and studying therapeutic proteins. Among many plant-based systems developed so far, oleosin fusion technology is one of the most cost-effective and convenient methods. In this study, an important therapeutic protein, human insulin-like growth factor 1 (hIGF-1), was expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds via this technology.