a method of reducing a c — o bond to the corresponding c — h bond in a substrate , which could be a benzylic alcohol , allylic alcohol , ester or an ether bond beta to a hydroxyl group or alpha to a carbonyl group using a recyclable metal catalyst system . the recyclable catalyst system is also applicable to reducing a c ═ o bond to the corresponding c — oh bond and then c — h bond . these methodologies can be linked in one - pot to selective oxidation and depolymerizations of aromatic polyols such as lignin .