Efficient cobalt-catalyzed oxidative conversion of lignin models to benzoquinones.

Phenolic lignin model monomers and dimers representing the primary substructural units of lignin were successfully oxidized to benzoquinones in high yield with molecular oxygen using new Co-Schiff base catalysts bearing a bulky heterocyclic nitrogen base as a substituent. This is the first example of a catalytic system able to convert both S and G lignin model phenols in high yield, a process necessary for effective use of lignin as a chemical feedstock.