Contributions to the Study of Lignin

Abstract

A new and relatively simple form of lignin was obtained from spruce sawdust by preliminary purification followed by digestion in 4% NaOH at a pressure of 10 atm. The purified product fitted the formula C20H20O6, had a constant melting point at 186[degree] C, and was soluble in a number of organic solvents. Its chemical properties are described. Being chemically simpler than previously reported lignins, the authors suggest that it is a depolymerized form of lignin as it occurs in plants, hence propose the name metalignin.