Selective Production of Glycolaldehyde via Hydrothermal Pyrolysis of Glucose: Experiments and Microkinetic Modeling

•Some of the highest experimental yields (>70 wt. %) of glycolaldehyde achieved and reported to date.•Good agreement between model and experimental results.•Dominant fragmentation pathways elucidated in hydrothermal pyrolysis of glucose.•Preferred operating conditions and feedstock sugar identified toward maximum glycolaldehyde production.