ARS | Publication request: KENAF'S UNUSUAL LIGNIN

Submitted to: Fifth Chemical Congress of North America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 13, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Among plant lignins that have been well characterized, Kenaf's lignin is striking. Firstly, it is highly syringyl rich, possessing among the highest S:G ratios of determined lignins. NMR reveals it to be a simple lignin, high in beta-ethers. The pyrolysis-GC-MS spectrum is simple and clean. More striking is the observation that ca. 50% of the lignin units are acetylated. NMR reveals this to be mainly at the gamma-position of the lignin sidechain - acetates will migrate so we suspect that the acetyl group is biochemically placed strictly at gamma. Consequently, the lignin appears to have a commonality with grass lignins and some woody species that have gamma-positions acylated by p-coumaric or p-hydroxybenzoic acids. Characterization of kenaf lignins by common analytical methods as well as by pyrolysis-GC-MS and NMR will be described.