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Dehydration and oxidation of cellulose hydrolysis products in acidic solution

Journal Article · · J. Wood Chem. Technol.; (United States)
The dehydration of cotton cellulose in aqueous solutions in the presence of Ac/sub 2/O, AcOH, HCl, H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ or HBr proceeded by hydrolysis to carbohydrates with acetate groups, followed by conversion to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (I) and then, to levulinic acid (II) accompanied by humic acids. For the formation of I, HCl was a more efficient and selective catalyst than H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, and the formation of II was promoted by high acid and H/sub 2/O concentrations in the medium. The addition of FeCl/sub 3/ to the dehydration mixture with HCl and continuous distillation led to the isolation of furfural.
Research Organization:
Fed Res Cent Forest Forest Prod, Inst Wood Chem, 2050 Hamburg, 80 Fed Rep Ger.
OSTI ID:
6402594
Journal Information:
J. Wood Chem. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Wood Chem. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 1:2; ISSN JWCTD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English