Fragmentation of structural units of lignin promoted by persulfate through selective C-C cleavage under mild conditions

A concise and environmentally benign protocol for lignin model fragmentation was developed by using cheap and commercially available sodium persulfate as an oxidant. The predominant lignin beta-O-4 or beta-1 model was fragmented into high-value aromatic aldehydes. The other lignin models, such as alpha-O-4, 4-O-5, and 5-5', showed good reactivity in this system.