Abstract

NADAL, Lisandra M. K.; CARARO, Daniele C.; PINHEIRO, Luís A.  and  PRESTES, Rosilene A.. Optimization of wood flour acetylation by factorial design and partial least squares regression. Quím. Nova [online]. 2012, vol.35, n.9, pp. 1763-1766. ISSN 0100-4042.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422012000900011.

Acetylation was performed to reduce the polarity of wood and increase its compatibility with polymer matrices for the production of composites. These reactions were performed first as a function of acetic acid and anhydride concentration in a mixture catalyzed by sulfuric acid. A concentration of 50%/50% (v/v) of acetic acid and anhydride was found to produced the highest conversion rate between the functional groups. After these reactions, the kinetics were investigated by varying times and temperatures using a 3² factorial design, and showed time was the most relevant parameter in determining the conversion of hydroxyl into carbonyl groups.

Keywords : acetylation; factorial design; partial least square regression.