Lignin,
a
key
biomass
component,
has
limited
uses,
but
improving
its
valorization
could
boost
renewable
fuel
production.
This
research
enhances
cheaper
vanadium
catalysts
by
coupling
two
vanadyl
centers,
speeding
up
reactions
by
reducing
spin
state
barriers.
Early
results
show
increased
catalytic
rates
in
lignin
depolymerization.