Hydrothermal degradation of cellulose (DP similar to 450) in 0.02-0.20 mol dm(-3) aq. hydrochloric acid at 160 degrees C, for 2-8 h and neutralization of the filtrate with calcium hydroxide can be used to prepare a mixture of carboxylic acid calcium salts. The mixture consists of calcium levulinate and calcium formate in approximately 1:0.65 mol ratio, together with CaCl2. Pyrolysis of this crude mixture at 350 degrees C for 3.0 min produces pyrolyzate oil yield of 140-210 g kg(-1) of dry salt mixture. The pyrolyzate was identified as similar to 97% gamma-valerolactone, with the minor products; levulinic acid, 3-methyl-2-cyclopentenone, and 2,3-dimethy1-2-cyclopentenone by using a combination of GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.