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The production of aromatic compounds from lignin is an essential issue in the transformation of biomass. Herein, a simple method has been presented for the synthesis of benzanilides and phenols from aniline involving the oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 lignin models using H2O2 as an oxidizing agent without any metal catalysts and under relatively mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the complex structure and inherent inert chemical activity of lignin, it is still challenging to depolymerize lignin to obtain valuable chemicals efficiently. Here, we present an FeCl 3 -promoted photocatalytic depolymerization strategy to realize the C α -C β oxidative cleavage of lignin model compounds at room temperature. The method generates benzoic acid and phenol compounds in high yields. In addition, the method is effective for the depolymerization of organosolv lignin by cleavage of the products of C α -C β bonds and affords the corresponding products. This strategy provides a method of using an economical photocatalyst to depolymerize lignin and provides a reference for the industrial depolymerization of lignin.