Co(salen) catalysed oxidation of synthetic lignin-like polymer: Pyridine effects

Co(salen) [salen = N , N '-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine] complexes can perform catalytic oxidations, but their corresponding reaction pathways are still not fully understood. In this study, the Co(salen)catalyzed oxidization of synthetic lignin-like polymer (S- and G-type lignin model polymer) by H 2 O 2 in alkaline aqueous solution in the presence of pyridine was elucidated with FTIR, 13 C NMR and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Co(salen) was active catalyst, increasing the oxidation rate of the S- and G-type lignin model polymer. The oxidation of lignin model polymer, irrespective of the S- and G-type, occurs selectively at benzylic position as in all experiments as benzaldehyde was the main observed product. The effect of pyridine was noted to be critical and the reactivity of the catalyst increased with addition of pyridine.