Acid Degradation of Lignin. I. The Formation of Ketones of the Guaiacylpropane Series.

Abstract

The behavior of l-hydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone and its isomer, 2-hydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-l-propanone, on acidolysis has been investigated. It is shown that an equilibrium between these ketols is established. A method of preparing these compounds is based on this finding.