The honeymoon-type adhesive for wood products based on acetoacetylated poly(vinyl alcohol) (AAPVA) was investigated focusing on the effect of acetoacetylation on performance, and that of amino compounds as a crosslinking agent. AAPVAs with different degrees of acetoacetylation were synthesized by the addition reaction of diketene in dimethylsulfoxide. Adhesive tests were carried out using aqueous solutions of AAPVA and six kinds of amino compounds, spread separately on test pieces of red meranti selected as the adherend. The mechanical strength of the bonded test pieces was then analyzed. It was found that the adhesive strength increased together with the degree of acetoacetylation at least until 3 h after the application of the adhesives. The degree of acetoacetylation had little effect on water resistance within the range 3.3-37.1%, and as a crosslinking agent, diamines containing primary amino groups were effective, although secondary amines and polyethyleneimine were not. It is assumed that the chemical structure of the amine influenced the crosslinking reaction at the adhesion interface. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.