Abstract
The selectivity of the water-soluble and highly active catalyst bis( o-phenanthroline)Cu in the oxygen bleaching of pulp was explored in model compound studies. The experiments were carried out under reaction conditions typical for industrial oxygen bleaching (90 °C, pH 12, p(O 2) 8 bar). The generation of hydrogen peroxide was an essential step in the oxidation of the lignin model compounds, veratryl alcohol and 2,2′-biphenol. Unfortunately, bis( o-phenanthroline)Cu also catalysed the depolymerisation of the carbohydrate model compound, dextran, both with oxygen and with hydrogen peroxide. The results explain well the inadequate selectivity of bis( o-phenanthroline)Cu in the oxygen bleaching of pulp.
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