The CO2/CO32−chemistry of the NaOH(aq) model system applicable to cellulose solutions

Abstract

Molecular interactions governing the recently reported CO2/CO32− chemistry of cellulose/NaOH(aq) solutions are investigated using a cellulose analogue methyl-β-D-glucopyranoside in NaOH(aq) solutions under conditions feasible with cellulose dissolution. 1H, 13C and steady-state heteronuclear Overhauser effect NMR spectroscopy complemented by pH measurements reveal carbohydrate–CO32− interactions as an important component of this chemistry. However, depending on in which order carbohydrate and CO32− are brought together in NaOH(aq) this interaction is different with different implications on stability of the CO32− in the solution.