The radiocarbon content of individual lignin-derived phenols: Technique and initial results

TitleThe radiocarbon content of individual lignin-derived phenols: Technique and initial results
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsMcNichol, AP, Ertel, JR, Eglinton, TI
JournalRadiocarbon
Volume42
Issue2
Pagination219-227
Date Published2000
ISBN Number0033-8222
KeywordsAMS, isotope-ratio, NOSAMS, oxidation-products
Abstract

We present a method for the isolation of phenolic compounds derived from lignin for radiocarbon analysis. These phenols are generated by chemical oxidation of polymeric materials and derivatized for separation and recovery by preparative capillary gas chromatography (PCGC). This technique yields tens of micrograms of pure, stable compounds that can he converted to graphite and analyzed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Analysis of model flavor compounds and dated woods indicates that, in most cases, the radiocarbon (C-14) contents of the individual compounds, corrected for the contribution of the derivative, agree with that of the bulk material to within 20 parts per thousand.