Degradation of cellulose under alkaline conditions

A review of the important area of cellulose degradation under alkaline conditions is presented; it focuses on its relevance to the possible disposal of radioactive wastes in an underground repository in which cement-based waste encapsulation grouts and backfill may be employed. An overview of the alkaline degradation pathways of monosaccharides and substituted monosaccharides is initially presented, before progressing to the reactions involved in the alkaline degradation of cellulose, namely end-wise degradation, termination, alkaline scission, and oxidative alkaline degradation. Physical factors affecting reaction rates and the alkaline degradation of hemicellulose are also discussed. A review of the identity of the commonly detected alkaline degradation products (and their numerous synonyms) is presented, along with discussion of the rates of degradation of cellulose. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.