On the role of the monolignol γ-carbon functionality in lignin biopolymerization

Dehydrogenation polymers were generated through enzymatic oxidation of ferulic acid, coniferaldehyde and coniferyl alcohol, respectively. Chemical and physical properties of the materials were determined in order to discuss why plants prefer the alcohol for lignin biosynthesis and not the acid and aldehyde, which are biologically cheaper to produce.