Abstract: A process to perform a controlled exothermic delignification of biomass comprises providing a system having a first vessel and a second vessel, providing a biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers placed into the first vessel, providing an aqueous acidic composition comprising a sulfuric acid component, providing a modifier component and providing a peroxide component. The biomass is exposed to the sulfuric acid component and peroxide component, thereby creating a reaction mass. The reaction mass is mixed and the sulfuric acid, modifier and peroxide components are allowed to come into contact with the biomass for a period of time sufficient for a delignification reaction to occur and to remove a predetermined amount of the lignin from the biomass. The predetermined amount is assessed by testing a first kappa number of the biomass. When the first kappa number of the biomass is reached, the biomass is transferred to the second vessel.

Abstract: A one-pot process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, where the process involves the steps of: providing a vessel; providing the lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition that includes: an acid; a modifying agent including a compound containing an amine group; and a peroxide; exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock; and, optionally, separating and removing a liquid phase that includes dissolved lignin fragments from a solid phase containing cellulose fibres.

Abstract: A one-pot processes to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock include providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising a heterocyclic compound, and a peroxide; and exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.

Abstract: One-pot processes to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock include providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising an alkanesulfonic acid, and a peroxide; and exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock. In some instances, such one-pot process can further include removing a liquid phase comprising dissolved lignin fragments from a solid phase comprising cellulose fibres.

Abstract: One-pot processes to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock include providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing an aqueous composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising a substituted aromatic compound, and a peroxide; and exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.

Abstract: A modified aqueous acid composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide; wherein sulfuric acid, said compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety and said peroxide are present in a molar ratio of no less than 1:1:1. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibers and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide, wherein said alkylsulfonic acid and peroxide are present in a molar ratio ranging 1:1 to 15:1 and the time of exposure is sufficient to remove substantially all of the lignin present on said plant material. Compositions capable of achieving delignification are also disclosed.

Abstract: A one-pot process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock includes providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising a carbonyl-containing nitrogenous base compound, and a peroxide; exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock; and optionally, removing a liquid phase comprising dissolved lignin fragments from a solid phase comprising cellulose fibres.

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.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising an arylsulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

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: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising a carbonyl-containing nitrogenous base compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: A process to delignify biomass, said process comprising the steps of: providing a vessel; providing biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers into said vessel; providing a aqueous acidic composition comprising a sulfuric acid component; providing a peroxide component; exposing said biomass to said sulfuric acid component and peroxide component, creating a reaction mass; allowing said sulfuric acid component and peroxide component to come into contact with said biomass for a period of time sufficient to a delignification reaction to occur and remove over 90 wt % of said lignin and hemicellulose from said biomass; and controlling the temperature of the delignification reaction to maintain it below 55° C.

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: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

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: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising an amine group; and a peroxide. The amine group can include triethanolamine, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, pyrrolidine, ethylenediamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, DIPEA, cyclohexylamine, piperidine, morpholine, DBU, benzylamine, and combinations thereof. The composition is capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place. The composition can be used in processing and depolymerization of cellulose from a plant source.