EPICHLOROHYDRIN COUPLING REACTIONS WITH WOOD .1. REACTION WITH BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE ALCOHOLS

Properties of wood can be improved by reacting chemicals with hydroxyl groups of wood cell wall polymers. To achieve this improvement in woo d properties, bioactive compounds containing hydroxyl groups, such as pentachlorophenol, 3,5-dimethyl phenol, and 2-naphthol, can be reacted with epichlorohydrin to give corresponding glycidyl ethers. The new e poxide formed during this reaction can be used to bond bioactive compo unds to wood. This bonding may result in improved wood properties. The objective of this study was to develop a simple procedure for synthes izing glycidyl ethers. The alcohol was reacted with epichlorohydrin an d a catalyst and monitored by thin-layer chromatography. Shortwave ult raviolet light was used to detect spots. Resulting products were analy zed for carbon, hydrogen, and in one case, chlorine. Reaction of penta chlorophenol with epichlorohydrin formed only one enantiomeric glycidy l ether, whereas reaction of 3,5-dimethyl phenol with epichlorohydrin led to two enantiomeric glycidyl ethers in a 1 to 3 ratio. Reaction of 2-naphthol with epichlorohydrin also led to two enantoimeric glycidyl ethers in equal amounts. In future research, these glycidyl ethers wi ll be reacted with wood, and their toxicity to wood-destroying fungi i n bonded form will be determined,