Sulfated low molecular weight lignins (LMWLs) are complex three-dimensional oligomers obtained from enzymatic condensation of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid monomers using horseradish peroxidase followed by chemical sulfation using sulfur trioxide. The oligomers primarily contain β-O-4, β -5 and β - β inter-residue linkages (shown shaded). Other less common linkages, e.g., 5-5, are also present (not shown). X1, X2 and X3 are substituents at the a-position and may be H, -OH, or -OSO3Na. Z1, Z2 and Z3 may be -H or -COONa. R3 and R5 may be either -H or -OMe depending upon the starting monomer, as shown. These variations generate a large number of sequences.