Sulfonic Acid Group Functionalized Ionic Liquid Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Cellulose in Water: Structure Activity Relationships

Ananda S. Amarasekara^1, and Bernard Wiredu¹

¹Department of Chemistry, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, USA

Cite this paper:
Ananda S. Amarasekara and Bernard Wiredu. Sulfonic Acid Group Functionalized Ionic Liquid Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Cellulose in Water: Structure Activity Relationships. Sustainable Energy. 2014; 2(3):102-107. doi: 10.12691/rse-2-3-4

Abstract

Catalytic activities of eight sulfonic acid group functionalized ionic liquids in water were compared for the hydrolysis of Sigmacell cellulose (DP ~ 450) in the 150-180°C temperature range by measuring total reducing sugar (TRS) and glucose produced. The catalytic activity of acidic ionic liquids with different cation types decreases in the order imidazolium > pyridinium > triethanol ammonium cation. Among the sulfonic acid group functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids, the catalysts which contain a single imidazolium ion and a flexible linker between sulfonic acid group and the imidazolium ionic liquid core structure are the most active catalysts.

Keywords:
cellulose hydrolysis ionic liquid catalyst structure-activity relationship

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