DIMERIC BETA-ETHER THIOACIDOLYSIS PRODUCTS RESULTING FROM INCOMPLETE ETHER CLEAVAGE

Four beta-ether dimers which result from incomplete beta-ether cleavag e of syringyl-guaiacyl lignins following non-optimized thioacidolysis/ desulfurization of plant materials were identified. The compounds were ; the guaiacyl-guaiacyl dimer yphenyl)-2-(2-methoxy-4-propylphenoxy)pr opan-1-ol, the guaiacyl-syringyl dimer xy-4-propylphenoxy)-3-(4-hydrox y-3-methoxyphenyl)- propan-1-ol, the syringyl-guaiacyl dimer phenyl)-2 -(2-methoxy-4-propylphenoxy)-propan-1-ol, and the syringyl-syringyl di mer yl)-2-(2,6-dimethoxy-4-propylphenoxy)-propan-1-ol. Synthesis of ea ch dimer, by extending dimeric lignin model beta-ether strategies, pro vided authentication of the structures.