Characterization of the pyrolytic oils

Abstract

Capillary gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis procedures have been developed for the pyrolytic oils. The major components identified were ethanol; 1-butanol; isobutanol; acetaldehyde; furfural; furfuryl alcohol; 5-methylfurfural, 2-octanol, phenol, guaiacol; m- and p-methoxyphenol; o-, m-, p-cresols, veratrole; isobutyric acid; butyric acid; naphthalene; estragole; anethole; eugenol; 2-methoxy-4ethylphenol; 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol; isoeugenol; dimethylphenols; hydroquinone; 4hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene; and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol. Included among the chemical processes occuring over a period of time in the pyrolytic oils are the formation of acetals through the reaction of aldehydes and alcohols. Under the low pH conditions of the pyrolytic oils, isoeugenol and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene polymerize readily. Other components which might polymerize under the conditions include eugenol, anethole, and estragole. A fresh sample of pyrolytic oil was hydrogenated in an attempt to stabilize the oil against polymerization. Hydrogenation of the oil resulted principally in the conversion of isoeugenol and eugenol to 3-methoxy-4-propylphenol and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene to 2-methoxy-4-ethylphenol.