Selective Route to 2-Propenyl Aryls Directly from Wood by a Tandem Organosolv and Palladium-Catalysed Transfer Hydrogenolysis

A tandem organosolv pulping and Pd-catalysed transfer hydrogenolysis depolymerisation and deoxygenation has been developed. The tandem process generated 2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-enyl) phenol in 23% yield (92% theoretical monomer yield) starting from pine wood and 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(prop-1-enyl)-phenol in 49% yield (92% theoretical monomer yield) starting from birch wood. Only endogenous hydrogen from wood was consumed, and the reaction was performed using green solvents.