TEAK EXTRACT AS A CATALYST FOR THE PULPING OF LOBLOLLY-PINE

Commercial teak was extracted with toluene to give a 6.7% extractable residue yield. Analysis of the extract indicated the presence of a var iety of napthaquinones and anthraquinones (AQs), of which 2-methyl ant hraquinone was the major component (0.33% of the weight of the teak). When used as a catalyst in pulping loblolly pine, the extract was appr oximately twice as active as predicted, based on its 2-methyl AQ conte nt. At low doses, the order of catalytic delignification effectiveness was extract > 2-methyl AQ > AQ. Pulp yields also paralleled this orde r. The other quinones present in the extract, while not expected to be as effective as 2-methyl AQ, collectively provide a pulping catalytic activity approximately equal to the content of 2-methyl AQ.