The batch distillation of crude wood oil by direct liquefaction was studied; azeotropic distillations and some characterization were also performed. It was found that 26-33 percent of the crude wood oil could be distilled by simple batch vacuum distillations with pressures from 50-300 mm Hg. With the use of ethylene glycol and glycerol 29-85 percent more oil was distilled partly due to the azeotrope formed which allows the oil to boil at a reduced pressure. The water liberated and the polymerization which took place during the distillations were studied. It was found that fluid catalytic cracking bottoms eliminates polymerization when it is co-distilled with the crude wood oil. A novel scheme for the separation of the phenolic fraction by azeotropic distillation is presented.