Tautomer-Assisted Hydrogen Transfer Mechanism

Lower energy barrier

A novel bimolecular concerted hydrogen transfer mechanism in lignin pyrolysis where the tautomer utilizes its saturated and unsaturated groups for hydrogen donation and acceptance, promoting β-O-4 bond cleavage to yield stable phenolics and ketones.

Xie, Wenluan · Hu, Bin · Yuan-Gu, Xia · Song, Guoyong · Liu, Ji · Liu, Ying · Lu, Qiang

Chemical Engineering Journal 2023

Advantages

Tautomer-AHT reaction has lower energy barrier than hydroxyl-AHT reaction

In early pyrolysis stage, tautomer-AHT reaction is basically superior to hydroxyl-AHT reaction

In latter pyrolysis stage, hydroxyl-AHT interaction becomes predominant