Lignin aerobic oxidation promoted by molybdovanadophosphate polyanion [PMo7V5O40]8-.: Study on the oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 aryl ether structures using model compounds

The lignin oxidative degradation in the reaction system [PMo7V5O40](8-)/O-2 has been studied using guaiacyl and syringyl beta-aryl ether dimeric lignin model compounds. The oxidation has been monitored by GC/MS and ESI/MS. Although the free phenolic and non-phenolic model compounds were both degraded under aerobic oxidation with [PMo7V5O40](8-), the reaction mechanisms involved are different. Oxidation routes leading to the cleavage of beta-O-4 bonds have been proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.