Hemicelluloses, general information

Surface Activation. Acid Activation. Acid treatment of cellulose and hemicelluloses generally leads to hydrolysis to monosaccharides, which can subsequently dehydrate and condense to form furan-type compounds such as furfural and its 5-hydroxymethyl adduct. Further reactions lead to polymeric materials of dark color as well as to monomers such as levulinic acid, formic acid, and angelica lactones. Various condensation and solvolysis reactions also accompany the acid treatment of lignin 123). The hydrolysis, dehydration, and condensation reactions have been used to explain formation of covalent bonds between surfaces (85), increase in water resistance (85, 124), and weakening of wood (75) in nonconventional plywood or particle board production. However, very little factual information is available on how far, in terms of the consecutive reactions mentioned, and in what direction, in terms of the parallel reactions mentioned, does the surface of lignocellulosic materials actually change... 

---