Preface

Without a doubt, our society's concerns over increasing fuel prices, green house gas emissions, and the associated global warming have created a tremendous interest i n the science and technologies that promise the sustainable production o f materials, chemicals, and energy from domestic resources. In this respect, lignocellulosic biomass has the unique ability to supply a l l o f the above because carbohydrates and lignin are among the most abundant organic compounds on the planet, representing a vast amount o f biomass (in the range o f hundreds o f billions o f tons). It is interesting to note that only 3% o f this vast resource is actually used by humans. Despite the fact that a significant amount o f research has been carried out aimed at augmenting the industrial use o f readily available carbohydrates as organic raw materials, the systematic exploitation o f this vast resource is still i n its infancy. The fundamentally different chemistries o f hydrocarbons and o f carbohy drates and lignins are perhaps pivotally important i n imposing serious difficulties for their use as organic raw materials. Our fossil carbonbased economy relies on distinctly hydrophobic hydrocarbon molecules that are devoid o f oxygen and functional groups. In contrast to hydro carbons, carbohydrates are highly functionalized and hydrophilic molecules. Because environmental pressures are mounting and our dependence on fossil fuel continues to grow, any prevailing economic, advantages for a petrochemical-based economy w i l l likely fade away within the next 50 years. O u r chemical and energy industry therefore needs to redevelop i n a major w a y i f it is to use lignocellulosic biomass as its feedstock. These considerations unambiguously dictate the need for practically oriented scientific research and development covering a wide range o f applications for the production o f Materials, Chemicals, and Energy from Forest Biomass, The literature is abundant with research accounts aimed at offering an understanding to these complex chemical processes. T o date no concerted effort has been made about bringing this knowledge

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together with the a i m to connect the past with the future. Consequently, during the Pacifichem meeting o f 2005 a Symposium was held i n H a w a i i , focused at bringing together the global expertise from academia, government, and industry w i t h the aim to disseminate their latest findings and to exchange their ideas for the future i n the realm o f Materials, Chemicals, and Energy from Forest Biomass. The present book attempts to offer the reader a thorough view o f the information presented at this meeting and beyond. Despite the fact that the material emerged from a symposium, it is not a collection o f fragmented research findings in the form o f conference proceedings. M o s t chapter contribu tors attempted to provide a good review o f the literature, creating a sound foundation for the science to be subsequently developed. Furthermore, a collection o f authoritative reviews is also provided at the onset o f the book prior to embarking on specific topics. In an effort to convey the material i n a coherent fashion the 33 chapters o f this book were divided into the following distinct sections that deal with: Critical Reviews Materials from Forest Biomass Chemicals from Forest Biomass Energy from Forest Biomass N o v e l A n a l y t i c a l Methods for the Structural Elucidation o f For est Biomass

The editor anticipates that this volume w i l l provide a resource for new ideas, guidance, and a good embarkation point for any future endeavors i n Materials, Chemicals, and Energy from Forest Biomass.

Acknowledgments This compilation is a product o f a concerted effort o f numerous individuals to w h o m the editor expresses his appreciation. Primarily, thanks are due to the many scientists who have contributed their time and effort i n documenting their research findings. Without their enthusiastic response and support this volume w o u l d not have been possible. N o book o f this nature w o u l d have been possible i f it were not for the support o f nearly 100 members o f the international scientific community w h o acted as critical reviewers to the submitted chapters. Their invaluable critical

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and constructive comments ensured that each chapter was o f the highest scientific standard, reflecting the state o f the art, and was presented i n the best possible way. Last but not least, the numerous editorial and administrative contributions o f M s . E l i z a Root are gratefully acknowledged.

Dimitris S. Argyropoulos
Department o f Forest Biomaterials Science and Engineering North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695-8005
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In Materials, Chemicals, and Energy from Forest Biomass; Argyropoulos, D.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2007.

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Materials, Chemicals, and Energy from Forest Biomass

In Materials, Chemicals, and Energy from Forest Biomass; Argyropoulos, D.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2007.