FTIR Studies of Wood Chemistry

Author Institution: Chemistry Department, Brigham Young University; Wood Science Department, University College of North WalesWe are using FTIR methods to help distinguish between different types of wood, and to follow chemical changes that occur in the wood polymers. Using diffuse reflectance techniques on solid wood samples. ``hard'' and ``soft'' timbers may be distinguished quickly and conveniently. We have also studied reactions of reagents such as alkyl isocyanates which impart a permanently bonded hydrophobic layer onto the wood surface. From our FTIR studies carried out on thin slivers of scats pine, we were able to deduce a reaction profile for the scheme: $\begin{array}{lllll}&&&0\\&&&\|\\R-NCO+H-O-Wood \rightarrow R-&N&-&C-O-Wood\\&|\\&H\end{array}$ and consequently distinguish between surface and bulk reaction. The formation of an allophanate upon extensive reaction of the isocyanate can also be detected from the spectra. t.R. work on the powdered samples of isolated lignin and holo-colluloce show that the rate and extent of reaction with isocyanate is different for the two components