Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; N-alkylimidazole derivative; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal oxide; and a peroxide; adding an organic solvent to the resulting mixture; allowing a delignification reaction to occur for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present on said plant material.

Abstract: A process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, said process comprising the steps of: providing said lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising; an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; imidazole derivatives; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide; exposing said lignocellulosic feedstock to said composition for a period of time sufficient to depolymerize substantially all of the lignin present in said lignocellulosic feedstock into lignin oligomers and lignin monomers; wherein said process is carried out at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifiying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; N-alkylimidazole; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal oxide; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material.

Abstract: Method for controlled delignification of lignocellulosic feedstock, said method comprising the steps of: providing a reactive phase of pH less than 1, said reactive phase comprising: water; sulfuric acid; a source of peroxide; a modifying agent, said modifying agent adapted to control the reactivity of the sulfuric acid; providing a holding phase, said holding phase comprising an organic solvent which does not react with the aqueous acidic composition; combining said reactive phase and holding phase to form a reaction mixture; exposing a lignocellulosic material to said reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to allow delignification of the lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: A process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, said process comprising the steps of: providing said lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising; an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; imidazole derivatives; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide; exposing said lignocellulosic feedstock to said composition for a period of time sufficient to depolymerize substantially all of the lignin present in said lignocellulosic feedstock into lignin oligomers and lignin monomers; wherein said process is carried out at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; aryl sulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal salt; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; N-alkylimidazole derivative; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal oxide; and a peroxide; adding an organic solvent to the resulting mixture; allowing a delignification reaction to occur for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present on said plant material.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifiying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; N-alkylimidazole; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal oxide; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material.

Abstract: Method for controlled delignification of lignocellulosic feedstock, said method comprising the steps of: providing a reactive phase of pH less than 1, said reactive phase comprising: water; sulfuric acid; a source of peroxide; a modifying agent, said modifying agent adapted to control the reactivity of the sulfuric acid; providing a holding phase, said holding phase comprising an organic solvent which does not react with the aqueous acidic composition; combining said reactive phase and holding phase to form a reaction mixture; exposing a lignocellulosic material to said reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to allow delignification of the lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a capping agent; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material. Also disclosed are compositions to accomplish such delignification and processes using such.