Decomposition of lignin model compounds by Lewis acid catalysts in water and ethanol

The conversion of benzyl phenyl ether, diphenyl ether, diphenyl methane and biphenyl as representative model compounds for α–O4, 5–O4, α 1 (methylene bridges) and 5–5′ lignin linkages was investigated. We compared the use of metal chlorides and acetates. The reactions were studied in sub- and supercritical water and supercritical ethanol between 300 and 400 °C. At low temperature in water, Lewis acids mainly catalyzed condensation of hydrolysis...