Structural analysis of acetylated hardwood lignins and their photoyellowing properties

Lignin was isolated from aspen bleached chemithermomechanical pulp by employing a mild acid hydrolysis procedure, and the extracted material was acetylated with acetic anhydride. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated that the relative ease of acetylating lignin hydroxyl groups was phenolic >> gamma-side chain > alpha-side chain. Non-acetylated and acetylated lignins were impregnated onto cellulosic test sheets, and the photo-behavior of the lignins was examined under irradiation with two light sources, a fluorescent lamp and a black lamp. Optical reflective studies indicated acetylation efficiently inhibited the photodiscoloration of aspen bleached chemithermomechanical pulp lignin under visible and near-UV light irradiation. The photostability of the lignin was correlated to the extent of lignin acetylation. The observed photo-stabilization of acetylated lignin during light irradiation was attributed to the acetylation of phenoxy and aliphatic hydroxyl groups in lignin.