THE REVERSION REACTIONS OF D-GLUCOSE DURING THE HYDROLYSIS OF CELLULOSE WITH DILUTE SULFURIC ACID

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(89)80040-0

The reversion product formed during the acid hydrolysis of Avicel to D-glucose, under conditions envisaged for the industrial conversion of woody biomass into monomeric sugars, have been determined by using gas-liquid chromatography.Avicel was hydrolyzed in dilute sulfuric acid (0.26-1.27 wt.percent) between 160 and 250 deg in small (3mm, i.d.) glass tubes at a 3:1 liquid-to-solid ratio.The anhydro sugars, levoglucosan and 1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucofuranose, were produced in the ratio of 7:3 and constituted >50percent of the total yield of reversion products.The yield of anhydro sugar followed equilibrium kinetics, and reached 6percent at maximum yields (50percent) of D-glucose.Isomaltose and gentiobiose were the most preponderant disaccharides found among the reversion products, constituting together ca. 25percent of the reversion products.The (1->2)- and (1->3)-linked α-disaccharides preponderated over their β counterparts.The total yields of reversion products approached 10percent on the basis of the D-glucose theoretically available.