Structural Analysis of Alfa Grass (Stipa tenacissima L.) Lignin Obtained by Acetic Acid/Formic Acid Delignification

Alfa grass lignin obtained by the acetic acid/formic acid/water CIMV pulping process was characterized by FTIR and H-1, C-13-H-1 2D HSQC, and P-31 NMR spectroscopies. Lignin samples purified by further dissolution/precipitation or basic hydrolysis steps were also analyzed. The CIMV alfa lignin is a mixture of low molar mass compounds (M-n = 1500 g/mol) of SGH type with beta-O-4 ether bonds as the major interunit linkage. The crude lignin contains fatty acids and residual polysaccharides. It also contains large amounts of acetate and hydroxycinnamates, mostly in the gamma-position of beta-O-4 interunit linkages. Although partial acetylation induced by the process cannot be excluded, the absence of aromatic acetates. and acetylated polysaccharides in crude lignin demonstrates the mildness of the process. By combining smooth alkaline hydrolysis and dissolution/precipitation steps to the CIMV pulping, it is possible to produce a purified lignin with a composition and a structure quite analogous to that of the native polymer in the plant.