NEW PREPARATIONS OF LIGNIN POLYMER MODELS UNDER CONDITIONS THAT APPROXIMATE CELL-WALL LIGNIFICATION .1. SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL LIGNIN POLYMER MODELS AND THEIR STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION BY C-13 NMR

Guaiacyl-type lignin polymer models were prepared from coniferin by the action of beta-glucosidase and peroxidase, with hydrogen peroxide generated in situ through the action of oxygen and glucose oxidase on the glucose liberated from the coniferin. Polylignols were also prepared from coniferyl alcohol using procedures modified to more closely correspond to conditions prevailing in the cell wall environment. The structure of these novel polylignols approximated that of native lignin more closely than did the structure of polylignols prepared by the conventional method from coniferyl alcohol.