The flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) of methoxy-substituted β-O-4 lignin model compounds has been studied at 500° C to provide mechanistic insight into the primary reaction pathways that occur under conditions of fast pyrolysis. FVP of PhCH2CH2OPh (PPE), a model of the dominant β-O-4 linkage in lignin, proceeds by CO and CC cleavage, in a 37: 1 ratio, to produce styrene plus phenol as the dominant products and minor amounts of toluene, ...
