Dissolution and Hydrolysis of Wood Particles in Glyoxylic Acid without Ball Milling

Wiley-milled Eucalyptus globulus wood was dissolved in glyoxylic acid monohydrate through microwave heating at 130 °C for 1 h. Upon heating at 110 °C for 1 h, approximately 96% of the wood was dissolved. Based on the viscosity and SEC measurements of the solution, cellulose hydrolysis appeared to have progressed by heating with glyoxylic acid. The fractionation of the wood solution using 2-MeTHF and water yielded lignin-rich components and depolymerized cellulose. The facile dissolution of wood without high-energy-consuming ball milling would contribute to the effective utilization of wood constituents for biorefinery applications.