The direct acetylation of a prepared beechwood meal has been carried out with a view to the separation of an acetylated lignin. The maximum solution by acetylation uas 76.7% of the lignin present in beech-wood. A separation of the acetylated lignin in high yield by preferential solvent extraction was not obtained. The soluble acetylated product was subjected to methylation followed by hydrolysis and a lignin fraction separated. The maximurn yield was 24.7% of the lignin present in beech-wood. The hydrolysed product was partially solublein dioxane. The dioxane soluble fraction was separated into an ether soluble and ether insoluble fraction. [...]

Hibbert, H. (Supervisor)