Spectroscopic study of acetylated kraft pulp fibers

► Cellulose acetates were produced from unbleached and bleached kraft pulp fibers. ► Methods used are solid state CP/MAS 13C NMR, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. ► Changes in the acetylation degree during the synthesis with increasing time of reaction were observed. ► Hydroxyl groups from the anhydroglucose are partially substituted by acetyl groups. ► The low homogeneity in the distribution of substitution groups was identified.