Speculations on the nature of cellulose pyrolysis

Abstract

Consideration of the available data on cellulose pyrolysis suggests that, with relative importance depending upon heating rate in the temperature range 200-400°C, very pure cellulose decomposes by two competitive endothermic processes. lt is postulated that an unzipping reaction produces 1,4-anhydro-α-D-glucopyranose which rearranges to give levoglucosan. The other process, a dehydration, is considered to form the starting material for a subsequent exothermic process which results in CO₂, CO, further H₂O, and char. Although the known effects of some salts on cellulose pyrolysis can be explained by this mechanism, further experiments to more fully characterize the individual reactions, and isolate and determine the structure of unidentified intermediates, are clearly indicated.

Citation

Kilzer, F.J.; Broido, A. 1965. Speculations on the nature of cellulose pyrolysis. Pyrodynamics. 2: 151-163.