CC or CO Bond Cleavage in a Phenolic Lignin Model Compound: Selectivity Depends on Vanadium Catalyst

The aerobic oxidation of a phenolic lignin model compound with a vanadium catalyst results in the oxidative cleavage of the CC bond between the aryl ring and the adjacent hydroxy-substituted carbon atom (see scheme). Labeling experiments indicate key mechanistic differences to a previously reported related CO bond cleavage reaction. The selectivity in CC versus CO bond cleavage depends on the choice of the vanadium catalyst. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.