We seek to understand the formation of natural biogenic formaldehyde in solid wood, and how biogenic formaldehyde impacts compliance with emissions regulations for non-structural wood composites. Upon heat treatment, P. virgininia wood generates substantial quantities of formaldehyde with no detectable change in sugar composition, and with a large reduction in lignin thioacidolysis yield. This suggestion of lignin’s role was predicted in past studies of beta-O-4 models, and that the gama methylol group is activated for formaldehyde generation. Our attempts to test this mechanism verify some but not all predictions from the lignin literature. Furthermore it appears that extractives in P. virginiana also play a large role. Our attempts to identify mechanisms of formaldehyde generation will be described. The presentation will demonstrate that current regulations require a thorough accounting of both synthetic and biogenic formaldehyde sources.

Mechanisms of biogenic formaldehyde generation in wood

249th National Meeting (2015)

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