Identification of Novel Cellulose Degradation Products.

Abstract
Several hydroxy monocarboxylic acids, C-alkyl-substituted tartronic acids, and other carboxylic acids were identified as novel polysaccharide degradation products by capillary GLC-MS after hot sodium hydroxide treatment of cotton cellulose. The mass spectra of the per(trimethylsilyl) derivatives of these compounds are reported. Their formation routes remain largely unexplained.