Search

Dissolution and depolymerization of cellulose by the action of acid-functionalized ionic liquid catalysts is reported. Depolymerization of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was accomplished by utilizing a binary IL system composed of an IL solvent, 1-butyl-3-methyl-1H-imidazolium chloride (C4mim-Cl), capable of cellulose dissolution combined with a homogeneous IL acid catalyst. The sulfonic acid functionalized IL catalysts employed are capable of hydrolyzing glycosidic bonds to yield cellobiose, glucose and that also enabled dehydration reactions producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Viscometry was employed to follow the progress of the depolymerization and follow-on derivatization reactions. Experiments yielded real-time viscosity data of the reaction system which indicated the type and timing of the derivatization processes that occur. Results suggest that viscometric analyses can be a useful methodology to rapidly screen solution/catalyst compositions for desired outcomes.