Lignin was isolated from red pine with dimethyl sulfoxide under various conditions. Some kinds of acids, alkalies and salts were added as catalysts in the reaction mixtures. The isolated lignin DMSO lignin) was analyzed in regard to hydroxyl and methoxyl groups. Ultraviolet and infrared absorption spectra of the lignin were also obtained.
The lignin has light-yellow color in appearance and seems to remain without serious change in chemical nature. The lignin, however, might be easily affected from followed environmental conditions (for example, purification procedure etc.) which was inferred from the analytical results indicating a hydrolysis of methoxyl group.
It seems that the DMSO method can be said to be a simple and good method for isolation of lignin.