Studies of the Photodegradation of Spruce Lignin by Nmr Spectroscopy

The light-induced degradation of lignin was studied using spruce MWL impregnated on handsheets prepared from cotton linters. The sheets were irradiated with simulated sunlight and the lignin was extracted. Solutions of untreated and irradiated lignin were studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that α- and β- ether and α-β bond cleavage were the main reactions. The main degradation products were vanillin and vanillic acid. The amount of terminal groups containing aromatic aldehyde and carboxyl groups also incre- ased on irradiation. The existing α- C=O groups were transformed mainly to carboxyl groups. However, the results indicate that new α- C=O groups were generated on irradiation. The methoxyl content decreased and some degradation of aromatic rings took place. However, no formation of quinoid structures was observed. Degradation of phenylcoumaran units was evident, α- Ether cleavage in phenylcoumarans could possibly lead to formation of stilbenes and stilbene derived chromophores.