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A new method for selective and efficient cleavage of arylglycerol−β-aryl (β-O-4) ether linkages in lignins is introduced. The acronym “DFRC” relates to the reactions involved, derivatization followed by reductive cleavage. Derivatization, accompanied by cell wall solubilization, is accomplished with acetyl bromide in acetic acid; reductive cleavage of resulting β-bromo ethers utilizes zinc in an acidic medium. Following acetylation, degradation monomers (4-acetoxycinnamyl acetates) are quantified by GC, providing data analogous to those from analytical thioacidolysis. Keywords: Acetyl bromide; lignin; β-aryl ether; thioacidolysis; reductive elimination
Lu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.