Abstract The microwave-assisted oxidative degradation of a lignin model phenolic dimer [1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenoxy)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-propane-1, 3-diol, 1] catalysed by Co (salen)/SBA-15 is reported. The investigated model compound 1 was prepared through a multistep synthesis and characterized by 1 H, 13 C NMR, and GC–MS studies. The catalyst was prepared by immobilizing [N, N′-bis (salicylidene) ethane-1, 2-diaminato] Cobalt (II), ...