New aspects in cationization of lignocellulose materials. II. Distribution of functional groups in lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose components

The distribution of functional groups in the three main components of beech after alkylation with 3‐chlor‐2‐hydroxypropyltrimethylammoniumchloride (CHMAC) was studied. By fractional extraction of hemicellulose combined with delignification it was found that the three components were substituted to various extents. The exchanging capacity decreased in the following order: hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose. The obtained degree of substitution is related to the accessibility and reactivity of the individual components in the wood. Hemicellulose, which is substituted the most, can be extracted from modified sawdust with water. This represents a new method of hemicellulose isolation from native plant materials.