The anodic oxidation in methanol of some lignin model compounds, the C17–C18 compounds ((1)–(5), has been studied to ascertain factors influencing cleavage of Cα Cβ bonds cf. substitution. Cyclic voltammetric oxidation peak potentials were influenced by structure but not by pH. Preparative-scale electrolyses gave 3, 4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde as the major product from compounds (1)–(3), corresponding to cleavage of th Cα Cβ ...