AbstractsChemistry

A. A new, simple and efficient method has been devised for the hydrogenation at high pressures, of small quantities of plant material and for the analysis and identification of the hydrogenated products. [...] C. Each of the various groups of ethanolysis products obtained in the ethanolysis of maple wood meal, and including (1) the distillable oils; ( 2) the non-distillable amorphous fraction of the water-soluble oils; (3) the so-called "benzene-shakings"; (4) the non-water-soluble tar; (5) the water-insoluble ethanol lignin and (6) the residual lignin in the wood, have been hydrogenated and the resulting products separated, analyzed and very largely identified. D. Based on these results, and on the previously published data on hydrogenation, the type of linkRge (-C-C- or -C-O-C-) present in the individual fractions and the extent to which these are present, have been determined. E. The experimental data and theoretical consideration would seem to provide a rational working theory of the mechanism of ethanolysis. F. Contrary to general belief, it was found possible to obtain simple water-soluble lignin units by the methanolysis of maple and aspen woods. The water-insoluble methanol lignin (maple) has been hydrogenated and the products shown to be identical with those obtained by hydrogenation of the ethanol lignin (maple). [...]