Abstract: A process for a reactive extraction and subsequent purification of organic molecules from biomass includes extracting one or more products from the biomass using an extraction solvent to solvate the products, contacting the biomass with a reactant during the extracting and separating the liquid products from solid products. Liquid products include ferulate or ferulic acid and are purified to varying levels of purity before conversion of ferulic acid to vanillin by biological means.