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Title: Analytical pyrolysis of hardwood and softwood lignins and its use in lignin-type determination of hardwood vessel elements

Journal Article · · J. Wood Chem. Technol.; (United States)

Pyrolysis, GC and mass spectrometry were performed on milled wood lignins and wood samples. Among the major pyrolysis products identified from loblolly pine lignin were: guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, 4-vinylguaiacol, vanillin, coniferaldehyde and coniferyl alcohol. White oak lignin pyrolysis products included: guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, vanillin, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 4-methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol, syringaldehyde and sinapaldehyde. By the identification of pyrolysis products it is thus possible to classify lignins as either guaiacyl-type or syringyl/guaiacyl-type. Pyrolysis of isolated vessel elements from white oak, white birch (Betula papyrifera) and American elm (Ulmus americana) indicated that vessel lignin is of the syringyl/guaiacyl type. 14 references.

Research Organization:
USDA Forest Service, Madison, WI
OSTI ID:
5889770
Journal Information:
J. Wood Chem. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 3:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English