Hevea brassiliensis (rubber wood) was esterified with palmitoyl chloride, prepared from the reaction of palmitic acid with thionyl chloride. The weight gain of the wood increased with increasing reaction time and temperature, the esterified wood were evaluated for their photostability and dimensional stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid-state cross-polarization/magic angle spinning C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CP/MAS C-13 NMR) were used to elucidate the characteristics of wood after esterification. The dimensional stability and photostability of the wood was improved by esterification. This is an important observation since chemical modification of wood with fatty acid chlorides has been found to induce thermo-plasticity into wood. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All fights reserved.