The content and distribution of stilbenes and resin acids in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and spruce (Picea abies), sampled in central Norway, have been examined. The contents of pinosylvin stilbenes in pine heartwood/living knots were 0.2-2/2-8 % (w/w). No stilbenes could be detected in spruce (Picea abies). The resin acid contents of pine sapwood/heartwood and knots were 1-4 and 5-10 % (w/w), respectively. Minor amounts of resin acids (< 0.2/< 0.04 %w/w) were identified in spruce wood/knots. The lignan content in knots of Norwegian spruce was 6.5 % (w/w). Diastereomerically pure hydroxymatairesinol (HMR, 84 % of total lignans) was readily isolated from this source since only minor quantities (2.6 % of total lignans) of the allo-HMR diastereomer was detected. Insignificant amounts of lignans were present in the sapwood. Lignans could not be detected in the sapwood or knots of Norwegian sallow (Salix caprea), birch (Betula pendula) or juniper (Juniperus communis).

A computational screening strategy applied to 8 million synthetically diverse ionic liquids, demonstrates its value for sustainable solvent design. In contrast to previous studies which have largely focused on single characteristics, important properties such as viscosity, density, thermal stability and toxicity, were estimated using machine learning. Experimental characterization of 15 compounds selected from the library reinforced the utility of the approach. Over 2600 ionic liquids, a majority of which have never been reported before, were investigated for applications in CO₂ and H₂S gas separation, and cellulose dissolution, using density functional theory calculations. Among these, around 250 low cytotoxicity and low viscosity ionic liquids merit further investigation.