Studies on the mechanism of formation of the products of liquefaction of cellulose and aspen poplar wood

Studies are reported on the chemical nature and mechanism of formation of the components of the oil fraction obtained by the alkali-catalyzed liquefaction of aspen poplar wood and separately of cellulose. Along with the smaller molecular weight compounds reported earlier (5) evidence has been obtained for the presence of polymeric fractions involving ether linkages and which show a bimodal pattern of molecular weights. Using appropriate model substances, some evidence ha3 been obtained for the production and involvement of one- and two-carbon fragments as well as ketene-type intermediates in the liquefaction process. Examination of the role of pH during the conversion process suggests that the initially alkaline medium is required to degrade the cellulose to smaller fragments, including possible saccharinic acids, with a corresponding decrease in pH. Then at an appropriate pH (now acidic) and temperature the resulting degradation products are converted to components of the final oil.