H2O2 -promoted C–C bond oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 lignin models to benzanilides using water as a solvent under metal-free conditions.

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]