Effect of solvent systems on the synergistic catalytic hydrogenolysis of alkaline lignin over Pd/C-NaOH

•The synergistic catalysis of Pd/C and NaOH can effectively hydrogenolysis β-O-4 MC and alkaline lignin.•Different solvent systems have different effects on the hydrogenolysis of β-O-4 MC, and the selection of suitable solvents (ethanol and 1, 4-dioxane) was beneficial to the hydrogenolysis of β-O-4 MC.•The optimal ratio of mixed solvent systems (ethanol/H2O and 1, 4-dioxane/H2O were 3:2 (v:v) and 2:3 (v:v)) was helpful for the hydrogenolysis of and alkaline lignin.