Selective Route to 2‐Propenyl Aryls Directly from Wood by a Tandem Organosolv and Palladium‐Catalysed Transfer Hydrogenolysis

Abstract A tandem organosolv pulping and Pd‐catalysed transfer hydrogenolysis depolymerisation and deoxygenation has been developed. The tandem process generated 2‐methoxy‐4‐(prop‐1‐enyl)phenol in 23 % yield (92 % theoretical monomer yield) starting from pine wood and 2,6‐dimethoxy‐4‐(prop‐1‐enyl)phenol in 49 % yield (92 % theoretical monomer yield) starting from birch wood. Only endogenous hydrogen from wood was consumed, and the reaction was performed using green solvents.