Silas Brand

Mr. Silas Brand


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 November 2024 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LLLucie Marie Lindenbeck
Lucie Marie Lindenbeck
SBSilas Brand
Silas Brand
FSFranka Stallmann
Franka Stallmann
VBVanessa-Celine Barra
Vanessa-Celine Barra
MFMarcella Frauscher
Marcella Frauscher
Bruno Vinicius Manzolli RodriguesBruno Vinicius Manzolli Rodrigues
Bruno Vinicius Manzolli Rodrigues
Transitioning from crude oil to renewable sources of carbon-based chemicals is critical for advancing sustainable development. Lignin, a wood-derived biomacromolecule, holds great potential as a renewable feedstock, but efficient depolymerization and dearomatization methods are required to fully unlock its potential. In this investigation, we present a silver-catalyzed aqueous electrocatalytic method for the selective depolymerization and partial dearomatization of soda lignin under mild, ambient conditions. Utilizing a water/sodium carbonate solvent system and a silver electrode to mediate the electrochemical reduction, we achieved significant lignin depolymerization over reaction times ranging from 5 to 20 h. Analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) revealed sodium levulinate, sodium acetate, and sodium formate as the main aliphatic products, alongside various aromatic species in the depolymerized lignin products (DL). This selective conversion of lignin into both valuable aromatic compounds and reactive aliphatic intermediates offers promising opportunities for further synthesis of a wide range of organic chemicals, contributing to the development of a more sustainable and circular economy.