Abstract
Peat humic acids have been treated at 185°C with 2 M sodium hydroxide solution, both in the presence and in the absence of sodium sulfide. About 6.3% of the material was converted into aliphatic low-molecular—weight carboxylic acids, which were analyzed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography — mass spectrometry. In all, nearly 60 carboxylic acids were identified, of which glycolic, lactic, 2-hydroxy-2—methylpropanoic, oxalic, malic and 3,4-dide0xyhexaric acids were the main constituents. Minor products included a wide variety of saccharinic acids and related compounds. The nature of the reaction products suggests that they are derived, to large extent, via a peeling-type reaction from carbohydrates or carbohydrate-related structural units of the starting material. The presence of carbohydrate structures as integral parts of peat humic acids is discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 459-463 |
Journal | Acta Chemica Scandinavica |
Volume | 46 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1992 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |