Heterogeneity in cellulose pyrolysis indicated from the pyrolysis in sulfolane

In sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone), which is a good solvent for the primary product, levoglucosan, cellulose is pyrolyzed completely into soluble products without forming any char. Residues during pyrolysis in sulfolane at 200, 240 and 330 degrees C were obtained always as colorless noncarbonized substances. From the change in the crystallinity and crystallite size as compared with the ordinary pyrolysis, a heterogeneous mechanism is indicated for cellulose pyrolysis, starting from a molecule which is less stabilized due to lack of some intermolecular interactions. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.