title: Microwave-supported preparation of alpha-cellulose for analysis of delta13C in tree rings.
abstract: The microwave technique is found to be very applicable for the preparation of alpha-cellulose from wood samples and can be recommended for analyzing the stable carbon isotopes in tree rings. At a reaction temperature of 80 degrees C, the extraction time can be decreased from 36 h to 15 min. Microwave-supported prepared cellulose contains more amorphous constituents, resulting in a relatively higher reactivity and amenability for a following nitration with regard to determination of nonexchangeable hydrogen. The delta18O values of microwave-enhanced extracted cellulose remain significantly lighter than reference values, possibly as a result of an increased oxygen isotope exchange between bleaching solution and cellulose under conditions of high energy input. Therefore, this technique cannot be recommended for oxygen isotope analyses in wood cellulose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Isotope Hydrology, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, D-06120 Halle, Germany. marika.haupt@ufz.de
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haupt
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boettger
mesh_terms: D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D008872:Microwaves; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002482:Cellulose