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

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.

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.

The invention relates to processes for manufacturing pulp and more specifically to improved processes for manufacturing dissolving pulp. The processes have primarily been developed to be used in connection with large scale kraft processes, i.e. they have been designed to be incorporated into a plant. A liquor derivable from the process and comprising xylan, lignin, alkali and water is also disclosed as well as a dissolving pulp produced by the process.

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.