Impact of phenolic compounds on hydrothermal oxidation of cellulose.
The effect of phenolic compounds on hydrothermal oxidation of cellulose was studied using a batch reactor at 300 degrees C with H(2)O(2) as oxidant. Intermediate products, as well as the yields of acetic acid produced in the oxidation of cellulose, phenolic compounds, and cellulose-phenolic compound mixtures were examined. Phenolic compounds used were phenol, 1,4-benzenediol, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. In the case of oxidation of cellulose-phenolic compound mixtures, (1) formic acid, a basic oxidation product from carbohydrates, decreased considerably, (2) 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde and 2-furaldehyde, acid-catalyzed dehydration products from carbohydrates, appeared, and (3) the yield of acetic acid increased compared to that in the oxidation of cellulose. From these results, phenolic compounds seem to inhibit the oxidation of cellulose under hydrothermal conditions. The inhibition of the oxidation of cellulose by phenolic compounds seems to be related closer to the stability of phenolic compounds under oxidation conditions rather than the ease to remove phenolic hydrogen on the OH group.
Jin
Fangming
F
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan. jin@mail.kankyo.tohoku.ac.jp
Cao
Jianxun
J
Kishida
Hisanori
H
Moriya
Takehiko
T
Enomoto
Heiji
H
D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010636:Phenols; D013816:Thermodynamics
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010636:Phenols; D002482:Cellulose