Homogeneous Degradation of Cellulose in Its Aqueous Solution at Mild Temperature under Atmospheric Pressure

温和温度与常压下纤维素在其均相水溶液中的降解

Degradation of cellulose to chemicals is one of major routes for biomass conversion. Here, a new simple and two-step method has been developed to convert cellulose in its homogeneously alkaline solution to organic acids under atmospheric pressure at mild temperature. At first, cellulose was degraded to smM1 molecular intermediates at 110 ℃ for 3 h under atmospheric pressure, and then it was oxidized with H202 at 50 ℃ for 4 h. Under the optimal condition, 73.5% conversion of cellulose could be achieved, and the yield of organic acids was 32.8% （formic acid）, 11.6% （lactic acid）, and 2.3% （oxalic acid）, respectively. It is noteworthy that the new strategy reduces energy consumption in the process of reaction, unlike the hydrothermal reaction under high temperature and high pressure.