Content (Syllabus outline)

- Repetition of chemical concepts, which are necessary for understanding of chemical structure of wood. High molecular and low molecular weight compounds of softwoods and hardwoods.
- Definitions and classification of carbohydrates and their occurrence in wood.
- Structural compounds of the woody cell wall cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Properties of cellulose molecule, supramolecular organization of cellose in cell wall and microfibrilar organization and its properties. Classification of hemicelluloses and most important representatives in softwoods (mannans) and hardwood (xylans). 
- Occurrence and distribution of lignin, basic building units, structural models of softwoods and hardwoods lignin. Heterogeneity of lignin in the cell wall and influence on wood properties.
- Extractives of wood and bark; systematics and classification. Terpenes and terpenoids. Fatty acids, fats and oils. Polyphenols; classification and systematics. Simple phenols, stilbenes, flavonoids, lignans, tannins. Tree resin.
- Molecular models of secondary cell wall of woody fibers.
- Relations between chemistry of wood and its properties.

Prerequisites

1. Prerequisites for the work:
- entry in the corresponding year of the study programme.

2. Terms of prerequisites:
- attendance at tutorials,
- laboratory report.