Exhaustive laccase-catalysed oxidation of a lignin model compound (vanillyl glycol) produces methanol and polymeric quinoid products.

Laccase-catalysed oxidation of the lignin-related phenol vanillyl glycol results in the initial formation of dimers and subsequent polymerization. The polymerization is accompanied by a liberation of methanol corresponding to 15-20% demethylation. Visible spectra together with reduction experiments suggest the simultaneous formation of o-quinones. The participation of quinone formation in the polymerization process and the possible role of such intermediates in lignin biodegradation is discussed.