Results of IR-Spectroscopy, UV-visible-spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy showed that guaiacol and catechol react with metal (ferric and chromium) ions to form water-insoluble complexes. It is suggested, therefore, that compounds containing these ions can be used to protect wood surfaces from weathering by forming lignin-metal ion complexes which, it is proposed, provide protection from photochemical reactions by inducing energy transfer. It is also proposed that wood-ion complexes decompose peroxide impurities formed at wood surfaces, thereby precluding photodegradation chain reactions. -- AATA