Synthetic efforts towards the phenyl glycosidic class of lignin-carbohydrate complex models

Within biomass as a whole, the linkages which are present have been largely identified and elucidated, one of the key types off linkages and functionalities which have been identified are lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC). These are the major bonding patterns found in biomass between the carbohydrate (cellulose & hemicellulose) and lignin functionalities from extracted portions of biomass. One of the main bonding patterns within LCCs is phenyl glycosidic, where the C1 of the carbohydrate is bonded through an ether bond to an aromatic ring. The synthesis of such compounds which represent extracted portions of biomass have a carbohydrate portion and therefore will allow for water solubility and negates the need for organic solvents when probing depolymerisation studies. • Novel class of biomass model library synthesised in robust synthetic protocol. • New class of model compound available for refinement of aqueous catalytic systems. • Potentially important glycoside products. • Versatile synthetic chemistry.