Esterification of Smallflower Tamarisk (Tamarix parviflora) Hemicelluloses using Octanoyl, Decanoyl and Lauroyl Chloride

In this study, the hemicelluloses were isolated from small-flowered tamarisk (Tamarix parviflora) which might be useful raw material in the industrial area, then esterified using octanoyl, decanoyl and lauroyl chloride. Afterwards, obtained hemicellulose esters were characterized. Monosaccharide composition of small-flowered tamarisk wood and hemicelluloses were determined by HPLC. The substitution degrees of esters were found between 0.68 and 0.81 and yield percentages between 54.13 and 58.23. The values of bands at 3410, 2922, 2854 and 1742 cm-1 in FTIR spectra of esters showed that the derivation of hemicelluloses occurred. Esters presented lower thermal stability compared to natural hemicelluloses after thermogravimetric analysis. The characteristic properties of produced hemicellulose esters indicated that these esters were found to be at a sufficient level for raw material in the production of biodegradable and environmentally degradable plastics, resins and films