Efficient electrophilic catalysis of 1,5-anhydrocellobiitol hydrolysis by AlIII; implications for the conservation of “rosin-alum” sized paper

Added Al2SO4 greatly accelerates the hydrolysis at 150.0 °C of 1,5-anhydrocellobiitol, a model for the β(1→4) linkages in cellulose, in succinate buffers of room temperature pH 3.05 and 3.35; Ea values for 20 mM AlIII- and H+-catalysed hydrolyses are 109 ± 3 and 140 ± 1 kJ mol−1, respectively.