Hydrothermal liquefaction of rice straw has been carried out using various organic solvents (CH3OH, C2H5OH) at different temperatures (250, 280 and 300 degrees C) and residence times (15, 30 and 60 min) to understand the effect of solvent and various reaction parameters on product distribution. Maximum liquid product yield (47.52 wt%) was observed using ethanol at 300 degrees C and 15 min reaction time. FTIR and NMR (H-1 and C-13) of liquid product indicate that lignin in rice straw was converted to various monomeric phenols. GC-MS of the liquid product showed the presence of various phenol and guaiacol derivatives. Main compounds observed in liquid product were phenol, 4-ethylphenol, 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (4-ethylguaiacol), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (syringol), 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol (thymol). Powder XRD and SEM of bio-residue showed that rice straw was decomposed to low molecular weight monomeric phenols. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.