THE ALKALINE NITROBENZENE OXIDATION OF ASPEN WOOD AND LIGNIN MODEL SUBSTANCES

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Abstract
The yields of vanillin and syringaldehyde obtained by the alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation of aspen wood meal have been determined at various temperatures for various times. The maximum yield of each of these aldehydes, ca. 15 and 36% respectively, was obtained under the same conditions. Similar maximum yields result at 130 ± 5 °C. as at 170 ± 5 °C. if the reaction time is markedly increased. Treatment of the wood meal with sodium hydroxide at 160 °C. for two and one half hours prior to the addition of nitrobenzene and subsequent heating under the same conditions decreases, by over 30%, the yields of aldehydes. Samples of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, β-D-glucovanillin, and β-D-glucosyringaldehyde were oxidized by alkaline nitrobenzene at 160 °C. for two and one half hours and yields of the corresponding phenolic aldehydes of 10.7, 69.6, and 71.9% respectively were obtained. These results are discussed with respect to the chemistry of aspen lignin.