Curie-point Pyrolysis of Cellulose in the Presence of Potassium Malate

Abstract

Finely powdered cellulose was pyrolysed in a Curie-point pyrolyser, which was directly attached to a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer (CPP-GC/MS), at 358°C for 5 sec in He (gas) without any additives. The pyrolysis products were levoglucosenone as the main component, 2-furaldehyde, l, 4:3, 6-dianhydro-a-D-glucopyranose and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde. However, CPP-GC/MS of cellulose in the presence of potassium malate (5 % as potassium) gave 2-furanmethanol as the main component, and a number of low molecular compounds were formed; e.g., lactones, ketones and furans. A possible new reaction path for cellulose to 2-furanmethanol via D-xylulose is presented.