Methods of Separating Lignin Deconstruction Feedstocks Using Centrifugal Partition Chromatography

UW-Madison researchers have developed an improved method for separating purified lignin monomers from deconstructed biomass. The process couples the oxidative depolymerization of lignin, which produces a complex mixture of oxidized aromatic monomers and oligomers, with moving bed liquid-liquid extraction centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). Their continuous process can isolate and purify monomers, including aromatics, which can be sold or further valorized.