ELECTRON-TRANSFER REACTIONS IN PULPING SYSTEMS .7. DEGRADATION REACTIONS OF BETA-METHOXY LIGNIN MODELS

Two beta-methoxy lignin model compounds were heated at 150-degrees-C in aqueous sodium hydroxide and in mixtures of NaOH/glucose, and NaOH/glucose/AQ. Practically no beta-ether cleavage was observed under these simulated pulping conditions. The principal products were vinyl ethers and C(alpha)-reduction products; the former dominating in NaOH, the latter in the anthraquinone case. The observation of C(alpha)-reduction products indicates that electron transfer reactions had occurred. Attempts to prepare beta-(3-butenyl)-beta-methoxy lignin models failed.