Lignin is the primary source of aromatic chemicals in nature. Selective aerobic oxidation has provided a promising approach for breakinglignin into smaller aromatics. During VO(acac)2-catalyzed oxidation of ligninmodel compound 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol, benzaldehyde was unexpectedly observed as a product, in contrast to the results reported previously. The reaction pathway was studied, and a hemiacetal-like