Acetylation of Wood with Various Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare two different acetylation mechanisms using acetic anhydride (AA) or vinyl acetate (VA) modification with using various catalysts. Acetylation of Scots pine wood flour with acetic anhydride could be significantly improved in the presence of potassium acetate, potassium carbonate, and sodium carbonate at 100°C. Sodium carbonate had low effect on VA acetylation, potassium acetate was found to be more effective, and potassium carbonate was better for vinyl acetate modification of wood flour. The two modification methods and the effect of different catalysts on AA or VA modification were characterized by infrared and NMR spectra and analyzed in detail. The acetylation of Scots pine flour with VA and AA showed almost the same WPG values for catalysts when based on long reaction times. Keywords: Acetic anhydridevinyl acetatepotassium acetatepotassium carbonatesodium carbonate Acknowledgments This paper has been carried out with financial support from the Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University-BAP 2010/3-12M. The authors wish to express their thanks to Mr. Alan Lightbody, UK, for his valuable suggestions and critical reading of the manuscript.