1. CHEM-E1110 Lignocellulose Chemistry - Introduction
Tapani Vuorinen

2. Contents
Chemical structure, physicochemical properties and chemical reactivity of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin and extractives
Emphasis on reactivity and reaction mechanisms and kinetics
Preparative fractionation of lignocellulose to its constituents
Extractives, holocellulose, hemicelluloses
Chemical characterization of the fractions by spectroscopy and chromatography
FTIR and Raman spectroscopy
Solid and liquid state NMR spectroscopy
Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy

3. Learning outcomes
Knowledge on characteristic reactions of the polysaccharides and lignin
Ability to intercorrelate the components’ chemical structure with their physicochemical properties and chemical reactivity
Laboratory skills to
Fractionate lignocellulose to its main constituents (extractives, hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin)
Characterize the chemical structure of the constituents by chromatography and spectroscopy

4. Workload and schedules
Lectures, weeks 44-49, L2/PUU1 (Vuorimiehentie 1), lecture notes/learning diary
Wednesdays at 13:15-15:00 (weeks 44-48)
Thursdays at 12:15-14:00 (weeks 44-49)
Tuesday at 10:15-12:00 (week 49)
Laboratory works, weeks 44-49, PUU1 teaching laboratory, a single report in the end
Fridays at 13:00-17:00 (weeks 44-48)
Friday at 11:00-15:00 (week 49)
Presentation of lecture notes and end discussion, week 50
Times to be agreed separately by each group

5. Topics of lectures (changes are possible)
Date
Time
Contents
1/11
13:15-15:00
Introduction, fractionation and analysis of lignocellulose
2/11
12:15-14:00
Basics of carbohydrates – structure, functionality
8/11
Basics of lignin – formation, structure, functionality
9/11
Basics of kinetics, aryl alkyl ether bond cleavage in non-phenolic lignin
15/11
Aryl alkyl ether bond cleavage in phenolic and oxidized lignin
16/11
Radical, electrophilic and nucleophilic oxidation of lignin
22/11
No lecture
23/11
Glycoside and ester hydrolysis
29/11
Endwise degradation of 1,4-linked polysaccharides
30/11
Catalytic and non-catalytic oxidation of polysaccharides
5/12
10:15-12:00
Phenol-aldehyde condensation and lignin-carbohydrate complexes
7/12
Alkylation and esterification of lignocellulose, summary

6. Supporting reading
Papermaking Science and Technology book series at
Volume 3: Forest Products Chemistry
Volume 20: Biorefining of Forest Resources

7. Topics of lab works (changes are possible)
Date
Time
Contents
3/11
13:00-17:00
Own sample preparation for fractionation; detection and quantification of carbohydrates and reducing sugars by absorption spectroscopy
10/11
Acetone extraction of own sample; solid and liquid state 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopy of selected (lignocellulose and lignin) samples
17/11
Holocellulose preparation and quantification of dissolved carbohydrates; FTIR spectroscopy and GC-MS (after methanolysis) of acetone extracts
24/11
Isolation of hemicelluloses; FTIR spectroscopy of acetone extracted lignocellulose and holocellulose; UVRR spectroscopy of holocellulose
1/12
Catalytic oxidation of cellulose monitored by iodometric titration, quantification of aldehyde and carboxylate groups by iodometric and coductometric titration, respectively; FTIR spectroscopy of hemicelluloses
8/12
11:00-15:00
Degradation of hemicelluloses in acid and alkali monitored for reducing sugars and total carbohydrates, respectively

8. Guidelines for laboratory works
Passing CHEM’s laboratory safety training is required to work in the laboratory (teacher Kirsi Yliniemi)
Study at
Be present in time (PUU1, lobby)
Take your own lab coat with you if you have one
Works in groups of ca. 3 students
Stay always with your own group