THE MODIFICATION OF LIGNIN AT POSITION-2 AND POSITION-6 OF THE PHENYLPROPANOID NUCLEI .2. HYDROXYMETHYLATION OF LIGNIN MODEL COMPOUNDS

Phenolic hardwood and softwood lignin model compounds were hydroxymethylated with formaldehyde at positions meta to the aromatic hydroxy group. O-alkylated phenolic model compounds were hydroxymethylated at the same relative positions. The introduction of the reactive hydroxymethyl groups in high yield has tremendous potential for the utilization of lignin in polymeric products.