Catalyzes the conversion of vanillin alcohol to vanillin, and also the conversion of a wide range of phenolic compounds bearing side chains of variable size at the para position of the aromatic ring. Crucial for the degradation of the secondary metabolites derived from the degradation of the lignin. Catalyzes besides the oxidation of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohols, the oxidative deamination of 4-hydroxybenzylamines, the oxidative demethylation of 4-(methoxy-methyl)phenols and the oxidative hydration of 4-allylphenols. Most active with 4-allylphenols. 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzenemethanol + O2 = H2O2 + vanillin Binds 1 FAD covalently per subunit. Competitively inhibited by cinnamyl and coniferyl alcohols and by isoeugenol. Optimum pH is about 10. Optimum temperature is 38 degrees Celsius. Homooctamer (tetramer of tightly interacting dimers). By 4-methoxybenzyl alcohols, anisyl and veratryl alcohols. Repressed by carbon catabolite. To bacterial flavocytochrome p-cresol methyl hydroxylase.