Comparison of cellobiose and glucose transformation to ethylene glycol

Cellobiose was used as a model feedstock to probe the reaction pathways of cellulose to ethylene glycol (EG). Its reactivity was compared with that of glucose using a catalyst composed of H2WO4 and Ru/C. EG can be produced by both the direct retro-aldol condensation of cellobiose and the retro-aldol condensation of glucose derived from cellobiose hydrolysis. The direct retro-aldol condensation of cellobiose further promoted the hydrolysis of cellobiose. Cellobiose has a lower reactivity for retro-aldol condensation than glucose, which decreased the formation rate of glycolaldehyde and made it more matched with the subsequent hydrogenation rate, thus leading to increased yield of EG from cellobiose.

Graphical AbstractA new reaction pathway was proposed for cellobiose conversion. The retro-aldol condensation of cellobiose is more difficult than that of glucose, leading to increased yield of EG from cellobiose.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide