Abstract: The polymerization reaction between coniferin and soluble lignin in the effluents from paper mill, catalyzed by lignin oxidase, was investigated. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to analyze the molecular weights of the polymerization products. It was shown that the molecular weight Mn increased from 326 to 1 068. FT-IR, isotopic tracer method and NMR spectroscopy were employed to determine the chemical structure of the polymer obtained. It was demonstrated by 13C tracer method and 13C NMR that the polymer yielded contains interconnected β-O-4, β-β, β-5 and β-structures. The content of coniferyl alcohol was relatively high in the product. The polymerization products of lignin became increasingly insoluble and easier to precipitate as their molecular grew higher. The polymerization reaction, therefore, can be used to reduce the concentration of water-soluble lignin in the effluents from paper mill.

Key words: coniferin, soluble lignin, polymerization, isotopic tracer, GPC