Lignin and extractives degradation in poplar wood in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and molybdenum polyoxometalated compound

Lignin is an unwanted by-product in bioethanol production from a biomass. The treatment of poplar wood with hydrogen peroxide induces only a decreased amount of extractives and a small reduction in the amount of cellulose in the wood. When the reaction is performed in the presence of H3PMo12O40, besides the reduction of extractives, an effective decrease in the lignin amount (from 29 to 10%) was observed. A small reduction of the cellulose amount has been observed. When the reaction is performed in the presence of light, a reduction of the efficiency in lignin decomposition has been observed.