AbstractA typical gas chromatogram of the volatile pyrolysis products of untreated α‐cellulose contains 39 peaks; however, mass spectral data indicate that at least 59 compounds, with molecular weights less than about 150, are present. A total of 37 compounds have been identified, 13 of which have not been previously reported. Most of the newly identified compounds contain a benzene ring, indicating that these compounds may be products of reactions between initial volatiles. A comparison of the products generated in the temperature range of 330°–440°C indicates that the formation of pyrolysis products is essential independent of temperature. Comparisons of the chromatograms obtained for untreated levoglucosan and cellulose indicate that most of the decomposition of cellulose probably forms levoglucosan which then decomposes to yield the observed pyrolysis products. In addition, the products of flame retardant‐treated levoglucosan are essentially the same as those of cellulose with the same retardant treatment. This suggests that the retardants act on the levoglucosan formed in the decomposition of the cellulose rather than on the cellulose
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