Kinetic investigation of the catalytic conversion of cellobiose to sorbitol

- Kinetic modeling of the transformation of cellobiose to sorbitol was carried out.
- The study shows two competing reaction pathways starting from cellobiose.
- Hydrogenation of cellobiose to cellobitol dominates at low temperatures.
- Under optimized conditions 99% yield of cellobitol can be reached.
- Hydrolysis is rate determining independent of the reaction pathway.