In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(20)H(26)O(7), a lignin model compound, the asymmetric unit contains two molecules which adopt almost identical overall conformations with some deviation in the region of the terminal hydroxyl groups. The two molecules are linked by an intermolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bond. They also develop intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds.