Reaction of xylan with aqueous solutions of alkali

Conclusions 1. The action of an aqueous solution of caustic soda on xylan leads to the formation of both a molecular and an alkoxide form of this polysaccharide. The composition and amount of the alkoxide formed depend on the conditions of treating the xylan with alkali.2. In the reaction of an aqueous solution of caustic soda with xylan, the hydrogen of the alcohol grouping on the second carbon atom exhibits the greatest reactivity.3. The result of IR spectroscopy confirm the existence of a chemical interaction of the xylan with caustic soda.4. According to X-ray analysis, the action of a solution of caustic soda on xylan leads to a decrease in intermolecular interaction, to a more ordered supermolecular structure, and to the appearance of crystallinity.Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 206–210, 1969