STUDIES ON LIGNIN AND RELATED COMPOUNDS: XII. METHANOL LIGNIN

Abstract

Methanol lignin was prepared by extracting spruce wood meal with absolute methyl alcohol, using hydrochloric acid as catalyst. In five small, bomb-tube experiments, methanol lignin preparations having the same methoxyl content (about 21.6%) were obtained, the product in each case being apparently homogeneous. The methanol lignin was acetylated, partially methylated by treatment with diazomethane, and fully methylated with dimethyl sulphate and sodium hydroxide. From the elementary analyses and the ratio of methoxyl in the original methanol lignin to that in the diazomethane-methylated compound a formula for the smallest building unit of the methanol lignin and for the native lignin can be derived. The latter is represented by the empirical formula C47H52O16, or, expanded, C42H32O6(OCH3)5(OH)5.