Petroliam Nasional Berhard (petronas)

Lauret Vanoye

Kenneth Richard Seddon

John Holbrey

Markus Fanselow

Anna Zheng

A process is described for the preparation of water-soluble cellulose hydrolysis products, which comprises admixing cellulose with an ionic liquid capable of solvating or dissolving at least some of the cellulose, said ionic liquid being a compound comprised solely of cations and anions and which exists in a liquid state at a temperature at or below 150&#xb0; C., the cations in said ionic liquid having the general formula (I), in which Z represents a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, Rrepresents a methyl or ethyl group, each of Rand R, which may be the same or different, is selected from Calkyl, optionally-substituted benzyl, optionally-substituted phenyl, and Ccycloalkyl, and Rrepresents Calkyl, optionally-substituted benzyl, optionally-substituted phenyl or Ccyclohexyl; in which the optional substituents on a benzyl or phenyl ring are one, two or three substituents selected from Calkyl or alkoxy groups, halogen atoms and nitro groups; and treating the resulting solvate or solution with an acid in the presence of water, said acid having a pKa in water of less than 2 at 25&#xb0; C.

Growing community of inventors

Belfast, United Kingdom

Lauret Vanoye