Depolymerization of cellulose to glucose by oxidation–hydrolysis

An oxidation–hydrolysis strategy was developed for depolymerization of cellulose. The method needs no additional catalyst. Part of the hydroxymethyl groups on glucose units were oxidized to carboxyl groups during the preoxidation treatment, and the generated acid sites act as the catalytic active centers for the following depolymerization of cellulose.