CONVERSION OF XYLAN, STARCH, AND CHITIN INTO CARBOXYLIC-ACIDS BY TREATMENT WITH ALKALI

Treatment of xylan, starch, and chitin with m and 3m sodium hydroxide at 175° and 190° gave mixtures of non-volatile carboxylic acids in yields of 50-70%, 40-60%, and 5-13%, respectively, in which >60 hydroxy monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids were identified. The main compounds were glycolic, lactic, 2-hydroxybutanoic, 3-deoxypentonic, xyloisosaccharinic, and 3,4,5-trideoxyheptaric acids from xylan; glycolic, lactic, 3,4-dideoxypentonic, glucoisosaccharinic, and 3,4-dideoxyhexaric acids from starch; and glycolic, lactic, 2-hydroxybutanoic, and 3,4-dideoxyhexaric acids from chitin. © 1990.