Silyl and acetyl derivatives of sporopollenin from the pollen of Typha angustifolia L. were prepared. The derivatized products were readily soluble in piperidine-d11 and could be investigated employing one- and two-dimensional proton and carbon NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy (1H,1H-COSY and 13C,1H-HETCOR techniques). For the first time, a two dimensional 13C,1H-HETCOR NMR spectrum of a sporopollenin could be obtained. The results underline the importance of derivatization techniques for obtaining two dimensional 13C-NMR spectra of sporopollenins. Moreover, piperidine turns out to be a more suitable solvent for sporopollenins than 2-aminoethanol, as it allows for higher solubilities, being important for 2D-NMR investigations. From the HETCOR and COSY spectra of the silylated and the acetylated Typha samples the occurrence of aliphatic polyhydroxy compounds as well as phenolic OH groups became evident.