The Reactions of Hydroxyl Radicals with Aromatic Rings in Lignins, Studied with Creosol and 4-Methylveratrol

Creosol and its methyl ether (4-methylveratrol), two simple model compounds representing phenolic and non-phenolic nuclei in lignins, were reacted in aqueous solution at ambiant temperature and pressure with hydroxyl radicals generated by γ-radiolysis. The reactions were conducted at different pH levels (2-12) and in the presence and absence of oxygen. After fractionation of the reaction mixtures, more than 40 products from each model compound were identified by HPLC-UV, GC-MS and/or NMR analyses.