Conversion of wood to liquid products requires cleavage of bonds which crosslink the wood structure. The current technology (PERC process) uses high temperature (360°C) to initiate thermolytic bond cleavage and several thousand psig of carbon monoxide in the presence of sodium carbonate to remove wood oxygen. At such high severity, energy and capital expenditure are understandably extensive. This study examines a low-severity wood solubilization process utilizing a solvent medium consisting of a small amount of sulfuric acid and a potentially wood-derivable alcohol. In one half hour of reaction time at 250°C under 15 psia starting nitrogen pressure, over