Pine sawdust was pretreated with several calcium compounds and then pyrolyzed in a fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor at 500 degrees C. The catalytic action of the calcium compounds varies depending on the anion. Analysis of pyrolysis gas, liquid and char yields and compositions demonstrates that calcium sulfate is inert during pyrolysis while calcium formate, carbonate, hydroxide and oxide show significant deoxygenation activity. Of the salts which showed deoxygenation activity, calcium formate had the highest relative yield. This effect is likely attributable to the activity of calcium formate as a hydrogen donor at the pyrolysis temperature. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.