NEW STRUCTURES FROM ENZYMIC DEHYDROGENATION OF LIGNIN MODEL P-HYDROXYPROPIOPHENONES

Enzymic dehydrogenation studies on lignin model p-hydroxypropiophenones have led to new concepts on some structural aspects of the lignin macromolecule. The main conclusions from these experiments are the prominence of p-cyclohexadienone radical participation during radical lignification reactions and the subsequent formation of o,p′-biphenyl linkages and of side chain transfer reactions leading to the formation of aryl esters of aliphatic acids, and, with some compounds, the free carboxylic acids themselves. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.