Thermodynamic Equilibria between Polyalcohols and Cyclic Ethers in High-Temperature Liquid Water

Thermodynamic equilibrium constants between polyalcohols and cyclic ethers in water at 573 K were determined by measuring their concentrations after the long-term reaction in a batch reactor. Intramolecular dehydration reactions of polyalcohols were important for conversion of biomass-derived carbohydrates; however, the yields of products were limited by thermodynamic equilibria between polyalcohols and products. All the thermodynamic equilibrium constants were estimated by the long-term dehydration reaction of 1 mol.dm(-3) polyalcohol aqueous solutions at 573 K. The thermodynamic equilibrium constants between butanepolyols or pentanepolyols and five-membered or six-membered cyclic ethers were within a range from (39 to 337) mol.dm(-3).