Efficacy of linear chain carboxylic acid anhydrides as wood protection chemicals

IRG/WP 02-30295

A N Papadopoulos, M D C Hale, C A S Hill

This paper presents an assessment of the effectiveness of linear chain carboxylic acid anhydrides namely, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric and hexanoic anhydride, in improving the decay resistance of Corsican pine (Pinus nigra Schneid) sapwood. Wood-anhydride bond formation was verified by the increase in sample weight and volume. A brown rot fungus [Coniophora puteana (Schum.:Fr)] was selected in order to determine and compare the effectiveness (threshold value) of linear chain anhydrides. The work described in this paper has demonstrated that chemically modified Corsican pine sapwood afforded substantial bioprotection against Coniophora puteana. It required a weight gain of approximately 16-18% following reaction to ensure complete protection. No strong and consistent trends could be identified to indicate the advantage of using one of the anhydrides in preference to another.


Keywords: Corsican pine, carboxylic acid anhydrides, wood protection

Conference: 02-05-12/17 Cardiff, Wales, UK


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