Interaction of lignin and polysaccharides in beech wood (Fagus sylvatica) during drying processes

13C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize the structural changes of cell wall polymers in beech wood Fagus sylvatica during drying processes. The analysis of five wood samples, namely, untreated, untreated dried, pre-treated by steam and/or NaOH subjected to drying showed partial depolymerization of lignin component as well as the change of the ratio of the crystalline and of the amorphous parts of cellulose as the consequence of wood pre-treatment. In addition, T1p(1H) relaxation times were determined in beech wood sample pre-treated with steam at 135 degrees C and the lignin isolated from this sample. The magnitudes of the relaxation times were found comparable in both samples as well as in the lignin-cellulose model compound. These unique T1p(1H) values indicate that spin diffusion is complete and homogeneous due to spatial proximity of spins and confirmed the formation of lignin-cellulose complex during thermal treatment of wood.