Pyrolysis behaviors of model compounds with representative oxygen-containing functional groups in carbonaceous feedstock over calcium

•Model compounds were used to study the pyrolysis of carbonaceous feedstocks.•Ca exchange with the –COOH and –OH on the aliphatic chains to form complexes.•Calcium complexes change the thermal conversion paths of model compounds.•Calcium complexes pyrolysis leads to the formation of a carbonyl structure.•The esters group conversion may not be affected by calcium during pyrolysis.