Composition of the water-soluble products from the thermocatalytic activation of aspen wood

The compositions of the water-soluble substances formed on the thermocatalytic activation of aspen wood under the conditions of explosive autohydrolysis at temperatures of 187, 220, and 240δC and, correspondingly, saturated steam pressures of 1.2, 2.4, and 3.4 MPa have been studied. The water-soluble compounds are formed as the result of hydrolysis reactions of the components of the wood catalyzed by organic acids produced in the decomposition of hemicelluloses. It has been established that the main water-soluble compounds are true sugars, low-molecular-mass lignin, acetic acid, furfural, and sugar degradation products. Methanol, isopropanol, propionic acid, and hydroxymethylfurfural are present in minor amounts. Raising the temperature of the autohydrolysis of wood intensifies the degradation of sugars and increases the degree of their depolymerization to form water-soluble low-molecular-mass fragments.