Studies on the products resulting from the conversion of aspen poplar to an oil

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Abstract
Some observations are made on the nature of the reactions involved in the conversion of aspen poplar into a variety of chemical products as a result of its interaction with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of sodium carbonate at elevated temperatures and pressures. The original carbon content of the wood is distributed between an oil phase, a complex mixture of highly oxygenated water-soluble products many of which have been identified as low molecular weight aliphatic alcohols, ketones, and acids, and a gaseous phase consisting of mainly hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Using model substances (cellulose, cellobiose, D-glucose, D-fructose, D-xylose, D-sorbitol, glycerol, and an isolated lignin) information was obtained on the origin of the oil and of the water-soluble products. Studies at temperatures from 160° to 360 °C revealed a marked exothermic reaction occurring in the 200–240 °C range for wood and cellulose and which was reflected in the nature of the resulting product. With increasing temperature there is an increase in the yields of the water-soluble derivatives and also a change in their relative abundance.

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