Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
56370 Catalysis Today 2011 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

The alcoholysis of cellulose in methanol and ethanol media has been studied in the presence of various kinds of acid catalysts. Keggin-type tungstosilicious and tungstophosphoric acids (H4SiW12O40 and H3PW12O40) were found to be highly efficient for the alcoholysis of cellulose. Methyl and ethyl glucosides (both containing α and β isomers) could be obtained in methanol and ethanol with yields as high as 57% and 63%, respectively. The ratio of α and β isomers was ∼1.4–1.6 in both methyl or ethyl glucosides, suggesting the intermolecular transformations between α and β isomers. Our comparative studies show that the alcoholysis of cellulose in methanol or ethanol proceeds more efficiently than the hydrolysis of cellulose in water medium. Glucose yields of only about 5–10% were obtained in water in the presence of an acid catalyst under similar reaction conditions.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Catalysis
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