Plasticization of poplar wood by benzylation and acetylation

Poplar wood meal and its delignified product (obtained via reflux in ethylene glycol) were benzylated. Benzylation reaction was carried out by benzyl chloride in the presence of NaOH. Thermal and spectral properties including TMA thermograms and FT-IR spectra of benzylated products were characterized. TMA analysis show that the benzylated wood has a lower softening point than benzylated delignified wood. Benzylated products were acetylated by a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride and the thermal and spectral properties of acetylated products including, TMA thermograms, FT-IR and (HNMR)-H-1 spectra were characterized. Acetylated products have lower softening point with respect to unacetylated counterparts.