Mild solvent extraction (MSE) is an extractive process previously used to directly convert coal to liquid products, gases, and solid chars. The MSE of white oak at three temperatures (300, 350, and 425 degrees C and of red oak particles at a single temperature (350 degrees C was investigated using anthracene oil as the solvent. For white oak, the intermediate temperature of 350 degrees C achieved a biomass conversion of 99% with solvent losses of 28%. MSE of the red oak at 350 degrees C achieved a biomass conversion of 99% with solvent losses of 68%. These results indicate that this process can be utilized with a biomass feedstock, where performance will depend on biomass characteristics, processing temperature, and particle size. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.