Mannose was selected as a model compound of hemicellulose and its thermal behavior over zeolites has been investigated using a TG-FTIR analyzer. There was an initial study of the chemical structure of mannose and a characterization of the catalysts. All three catalysts, HZSM-5, H-beta and USY, had a significant influence on the dehydration, cracking and deoxygenation reactions during the pyrolysis of mannose. The dehydration reaction in the initial stage was enhanced, resulting in two separate water release processes, while the char formation was suppressed. USY had the best effect on dehydration, and HZSM-5 obtained the highest deoxygenation efficiency. The presence of HZSM-5 and H-beta catalyzed the formation of water and CO2, while suppressing the formation of oxygenated compounds and char residues. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.