Selective catalytic depolymerisation of C-lignin into ethylcatechol using commercial Pd/C under hydrogen-free conditions

Pd/C can effectively catalyse the cleavage of C α –O, C β –O and C β –C γ bonds in C-lignin under an N 2 atmosphere, resulting in the production of ethylcatechol with an 80.7 mol% yield and 69% selectivity, with methanol acting as the primary hydrogen donor.