BACKGROUNDAlthough the pyrolysis of biomass has been investigated by many researchers, there are no data available regarding conversion to value added ester compounds from catalytic corncob pyrolysis at low temperature. In this present research thermal and catalytic cracking of residue corncob was performed at 250 to 600 degrees C under N-2. The performance of two acidic porous catalysts, metal-beta zeolite and mesoporous SBA-15, with different metal (Al, Pd and Ni) loadings, were compared with the non-catalytic reaction. RESULTSThe cracking products were classified into gases, liquid and char. Methane, C-5(+) and CO2 were the main gas products, while light ester derivatives were the main components in the liquid fraction and these can be important intermediate chemicals. The phenolic compounds were obtained when using low thermal pyrolysis. A reaction temperature of 300 degrees C with the Al-SBA-15 catalyst at a SiO2/Al2O3 mole ratio of 20 was found to be optimal in terms of producing the highest biomass conversion with a high proportion of light esters. CONCLUSIONThe Al-SBA-15 (20) catalyst was selective towards producing the light ester 2-methoxy phenyl acetate (59.4%), which is an important intermediate chemical for production of sweet fruity aromas in the food industry. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry