O2 as initiator of autocatalytic degradation of hemicelluloses and monosaccharides in hydrothermal treatment of spruce

The influence of oxygen (0–50 bar) on the molar mass and composition of hemicelluloses after hydrothermal treatment of spruce chips was studied in a batch reactor setup at 130 ◦C–160 ◦C. Purified galactoglucomannan was studied as a reference.