Catalyst-Free Hydrogenolysis of Lignin β-O-4 Ketone Models with Water as an H-transfer Reagent

It was found that lignin beta-O-4 ketone models could undergo smoothly the hydrogenolysis via light-induced water-donating transfer hydrogenation, which provides an example of using inexpensive and eco-friendly water as the H-transfer reagent to enable hydrogenolysis of lignin beta-O-4 ketone models under catalyst-free condition. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the mechanistic pathway involves the formation of acetophenone radicals.

Automated summary

It was discovered that lignin beta-O-4 ketone models can undergo hydrogenolysis smoothly through light-induced water-donating transfer hydrogenation, which serves as an example of using water as a cheap and eco-friendly hydrogen transfer reagent for lignin beta-O-4 ketone models under catalyst-free conditions. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the formation of acetophenone radicals is involved in the mechanistic pathway.