Conversion of cellulose to hydrocarbons

Abstract

The transformation of cellulose into hydrocarbon products is affected by the action of elemental iodine and hydrogen at a reaction pressure of approximately 20.7 MPa and temperature of 325 °C. The more volatile components were characterized by g.c.-m.s., elemental analysis and i.r. Of the 86 major components observed, 53 were identified. These compounds were found to be very similar to the ring systems observed in solvent-refined coal, with the exception that nitrogen was not present.