A New Concept on the Chemical Modification of Wood by Organic Anhydrides

Reactions other than acetylation also appear to contribute to the effect today known äs "acetylation" of wood. The evidence presented indicates that while true acetylation does indeed occur, the greater contribution to dimensional stabilization Starts with an -set type of attack on the aromatic nuclei of lignin. It is not clear if this initial acylation reaction occurs by direct attack of anhydride fragments on the aromatic nuclei of lignin, or if acetylation occurs first and acylation follows by a Fries rearrangement. The acylation appears to lead to several subsequent reactions on the aromatic nuclei of lignin which clearly infer the possibility of wood matrix cross-linking.