Pulping Catalysts in Trees

Abstract

Several hardwood and softwood trees were analyzed for anthraqui-none-type components. Wood samples were reduced to a small size and extracted with an organic solvent; the extracts were then concentrated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Low levels of AQ and anthrone components were detected using a sensitive selected-ion monitoring technique. Ten out of seventeen hardwood samples examined contained AQ-type components; however, the levels were typically below ∼6 ppm. Such components were not observed for the few softwood samples that were examined. The AQs were more concentrated in the heart-wood of teak than in the sapwood. Extraction of cottonwood with an organic solvent had little effect on the ease of pulping of the wood.