Lignin benzyl -aryl ether linkages, cleavage

Acidolysis causes the selective cleavage of arylglycerol-)6-aryl ethers (4, Fig. 6.1.2) and some other types of labile ether linkages, and this has been utilized on several occasions, for example by Kirk and Adler (1970). Treatment with the acidolysis reagent at 50°C (Adler et al. 1968) has been used in lignin chemistry for the selective hydrolysis of noncyclic benzyl aryl ethers. 

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