Methoxylation of phenols

We have also confirmed our previous results on the effect of methoxylation of phenolic hydroxyl groups within lignin. On the basis of our model studies, we suggest that the most likely explanation for this is that triplet carbonyl groups are quenched statically by hydroxyl groups within the lignin structure on timescales less than 20 ns thus reducing the amount of transient detected in our laser photolysis experiments. 

The products of methoxylation of phenols are usually further oxidized under the reaction conditions used [4AA6]. Experimental conditions can be found, however, that in some cases allow selective fomiation of / 7ra-methoxylated dienones, orr/zo-methoxylated... 

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