Catalytic degradation of aspen lignin under initially alkaline conditions has been studied as a method of selective conversion of the lignin polymer into potentially valuable phenolic chemicals. In contrast to initially neutral conditions, degradation is not dependent on the presence of molecular hydrogen and relatively larger amounts of C6-C-C over C6-C-C-C degradation products are obtained. The addition of anthraquinone to a typical soda pulping process results in a twofold increase in the yield of monomeric lignin products.