Production of phenols and biofuels by catalytic microwave pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass

► Conducted biomass catalytic microwave pyrolysis with activated carbon as catalyst. ► Achieved high concentrations of phenol (39%) and phenolics (67%) in bio-oil. ► Obtained high concentrations of esters (42.2% in the upgraded bio-oil). ► The first report using activated carbon for phenol and phenolics production. ► The first report using Zn powder as catalyst for high quality esters production.