GREEN CONVERSION OF CELLULOSE PRETREATED BY IONIC LIQUIDS TO GLUCOSE

摘要

Among three major components in lignocelluloses, both lignin with alkyl-aryl ether links and hemicelluloses linked with ketal functions are prone to hydrolysis at mild temperatures in the presence of acids or bases. In contrast, cellulose, which contains ether links like hemicelluloses, is much more difficult to hydrolyze, because it is a highly crystalline polymer of D-anhydroglucosepyranose units joined together in long chains by β(1,4) glycosidic bonds. The individual cellulose chains are also joined by a network of inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding, as well as van der Walls forces. Hence, the highly ordered structure of cellulose hinders access of catalysts to the ether links, resulting in limited utilization of cellulose in lumber, textile, paper, plastics, and other industries.