Microwave-assisted acetylation of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Dehn cellulose

A comparative study on the acetylation of wood (cellulose) of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Dehn (prepared of a species in the campus of Gonbad University) by reaction with acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine has been undertaken. The reaction was done under microwave irradiation which is described and compared with conventional methods. In this study the reactivity of wood with regards to acetic anhydride was examined using two techniques; Bench-top reflux system, and microwave instrument as two separately methods. In MW method, the process was pretty clean and the acetylated product was pure to comparing the simple reflux system. Acetylated products which are afforded from MW method were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy.