Catalyst-free lignin valorization by acetoacetylation. Structural elucidation by comparison with model compounds

Abstract

Indulin AT Kraft lignin has been chemically modified without a catalyst by reaction with t-butyl acetoacetate. Elucidation and quantification of the modified lignin structure has been facilitated by employing a series of readily prepared model compounds which isolate three of the major hydroxyl containing moieties characteristic of lignin.