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Lignocresol was isolated from softwood with p-cresol using sulfuric acid and phase separation. An alkaline treatment of the lignocresol, followed by acidification, selectively yielded a guaiacyl coumaran, G1, in the acidsoluble fraction. With further alkaline treatment of G1 in 0.5 M of NaOH solution at 170 °C for 60 min, it was strongly suggested that a guaiacyl benzofuran derivative, G2, was obtained by the elimination of formaldehyde, based on analytical data of the reaction mixture. The process is very unique and well-designed based on the reactivity of Cα-ethers, or Ca-OH, Cß-aryl-ethers, and Cα-OH of lignin, although condensation reactions via formaldehyde occurred in parallel to give condensed products with a diarylmethane structure. Because these phenolic dimers, G1 and G2, were recovered from the guaiacyl unit linked with the neighboring guaiacyl units via two β-aryl-ether bonds, they are promising lignin-derived chemicals that are obtainable in a high yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCrystallized mesoporous carbon was produced from ligno-p-cresol, a lignin derivative obtained by phase separation with p-cresol and sulfuric acid, onto which 3% nickel and 2% calcium were co-loaded, by carbonization at 900°C. Subsequent pulverization followed by soaking in acid improved the crystallinity of carbon with an increased volume of mesopore, attaining approximately 90% and 99% removal of nickel and calcium, respectively. These aspects implied both enhancement of electroconductivity and liquid phase adsorption capacity of the carbon with a good outlook on the recovery and reuse of the two metals. In particular, combination of wet milling using small beads and mild soaking with diluted acid was appropriate in respect of relevant properties of the carbon, including the particle size. It can thus be concluded that incorporation of such post-treatments into the manufacturing process of carbon products is greatly advantageous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]