Methods for the cross-metathesis of polysaccharides with one or more olefin-terminated side chains and cross-metathesized products are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for the synthesis of cellulose -carboxyesters via olefin cross-metathesis with acrylates is described. Conditions of the reactions were relatively mild and the olefin-substituted polysaccharides and the appropriate acrylate partners appear to follow Grubbs rules as summarized herein. Additionally, a method of hydrogenation of the cross-metathesized product is described. The compounds and methods may be useful for waterborne coating applications, adhesives, lubricants, or any product in need of dispersion in an aqueous media.

A nanocellulose material of plant origin comprising nanocellulose particles or fibres derived from a plant material having a hemicellulose content of 30% or higher (w/w) (calculated as a weight percentage of the lignocellulosic components of the material). The nanocellulose may have an aspect ratio of greater than 250. The nanocellulose may be derived from plant materials having C4 leaf morphology. The plant material may be obtained from arid Spinifex. The nanocellulose can be made using mild processing conditions.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose comprising the steps of: a) providing a cellulose-containing material wherein the cellulose-containing material contains less than 20 wt. % water, b) contacting the cellulose-containing material with oxalic acid dihydrate, and heating above the melting point of the oxalic acid dihydrate, to obtain cellulose oxalates, c) washing the mixture, d) preparing a suspension comprising the material from step c) and e) recovering hydrophobized nanocellulose from the suspension. The present invention relates also to a method of manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose intermediate which comprises the above described steps a)-c). The methods disclosed in the present invention are quick, inexpensive, simple, and direct. Pulp can be used as raw material.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose comprising the steps of: a) providing a cellulose-containing material wherein the cellulose-containing material contains less than 20 wt. % water, b) contacting the cellulose-containing material with oxalic acid dihydrate, and heating above the melting point of the oxalic acid dihydrate, to obtain cellulose oxalates, c) washing the mixture, d) preparing a suspension comprising the material from step c) and e) recovering hydrophobized nanocellulose from the suspension. The present invention relates also to a method of manufacturing hydrophobized nanocellulose intermediate which comprises the above described steps a)-c). The methods disclosed in the present invention are quick, inexpensive, simple, and direct. Pulp can be used as raw material.

A process for preparing a consumer product including a chemically modified polysaccharide, where the process includes the steps of combining a slurry including polysaccharide with a reactant to form a polysaccharide-reactant mixture, where the reactant includes an ester group; combining a base with the polysaccharide-reactant mixture to form a polysaccharide-reactant-base mixture; and allowing the polysaccharide-reactant-base mixture to form a transesterified polysaccharide mixture, where the transesterified polysaccharide mixture includes an alcohol.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of continuously dissolving cellulose carbamate in an alkaline aqueous phase to form a solution, comprising the steps of providing cellulose carbamate, mixing the cellulose carbamate with an aqueous alkaline solution to form a mixture, conducting the mixture through the mixing zone of a continuously operated mixing kneader at a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius or less to produce a solution of said cellulose carbamate in an alkaline aqueous phase, and recovering the cellulose carbamate containing aqueous phase.

Processes and systems for separating a mixture including at least one fluorocarboxylic acid and at least one carboxylic acid are provided herein. In some aspects, the present invention relates to processes and systems configured to provide a purified stream of fluorocarboxylic acid and a purified stream of carboxylic acid, even when the mixture includes an azeotrope, a pinch point, and/or a eutectic mixture of the fluorocarboxylic acid and carboxylic acid. Systems as described herein may include, for example, at least one distillation zone and at least one fractional crystallization zone arranged in series and configured to provide highly purified product streams having compositions heretofore unachievable by conventional means.

Processes and systems for separating a mixture including at least one fluorocarboxylic acid and at least one carboxylic acid are provided herein. In some aspects, the present invention relates to processes and systems configured to provide a purified stream of fluorocarboxylic acid and a purified stream of carboxylic acid, even when the mixture includes an azeotrope, a pinch point, and/or a eutectic mixture of the fluorocarboxylic acid and carboxylic acid. Systems as described herein may include, for example, at least one distillation zone and at least one fractional crystallization zone arranged in series and configured to provide highly purified product streams having compositions heretofore unachievable by conventional means.

Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.

Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.