Non-Leachable Boron-Based Wood Preservative for Ground Contact and Exterior Applications

An ideal wood preservative is stable in wood, biodegrades in soil, is non-corrosive, and if the wood is burned, either inadvertently or for disposal, does not produce toxic fumes or ash. Boron is a broad spectrum preservative with good efficacy against fungi and most insects. However, boron preservatives are not stable in wood due to their high solubility in water. A boron-based compound with functionalities designed to provide permanence in wood will be prepared. The compound will be introduced into wood and its efficacy as a preservative measured by studying resistance to decay and permanence in the wood. The advantages of commercial production of the leach resistant boron include a reduction in environmental risks associated with current preservative systems and expansion of borate preservatives to exterior use applications.