Abstract: In one example, a process includes providing a system with a first vessel and a second vessel; providing a biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers into said first vessel; providing an aqueous acidic composition comprising an acid; providing a modifier component; providing a peroxide component; exposing said biomass to said sulfuric acid, modifier and peroxide components, creating a reaction mass; mixing said reaction mass; and 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 a pre-determined amount of said lignin from said biomass. The pre-determined amount may be assessed by determining a first remaining peroxide concentration in the reaction mass, with a suitable apparatus, when said first remaining peroxide concentration is reached, the biomass is transferred to said second vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; an imidazole derivative; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; an alkylsulfonic acid; an arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising an acid; a modifying agent comprising a compound containing an amine group and a compound comprising a sulfonic acid moiety; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide.

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.