Characterization of autohydrolysis aspen (P. tremuloides) lignins. Part 1. Composition and molecular weight distribution of extracted autohydrolysis lignin

Abstract

Extractive-free aspen wood meal was subjected to autohydrolysis at 195 °C for 5 min to 2 h, and the lignin extracted with 90% dioxane. Extracted autohydrolysis lignin was found to be higher in carbon but lower in hydrogen and oxygen content than aspen milled wood lignin. The methoxyl content was also lower than the reference lignin. These differences have been attributed to condensation and incorporation into the lignin of non-lignin components. A lignin extractability curve with a maximum delignification at autohydrolysis time of 30–40 min was found. From molecular weight distribution studies the ratio of high molecular weight to low molecular weight materials varied for the different extracted lignins and reached a maximum at autohydrolysis time of 40 min. A mechanism of depolymerization/repolymerization of the lignin via carbonium ions has been proposed. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid is postulated as contributing to the extractability of aspen lignin by acting as a blocking agent.