Dicationic molten salts (ionic liquids) as re-usable media for the controlled pyrolysis of cellulose to anhydrosugars

Role of dicationic molten salts as re-usable media for the controlled pyrolysis of cellulose to anhydrosugars was determined. Lignocellulosic biomass had the potential to provide a large percentage of the fine chemical requirements for a sustainable chemical industry based on renewable raw materials. The results indicated that the interatomic distance between the cations was important for the pyrolysis. Addition of water to the viscous black residue dissolved the salt and allowed removal of the charcoal and other solid cellulose-derived material by filtration or centrifugation. It was concluded that there was a scope for further development of the conversion and yield of the process and the unique properties of the diatomic molten salts offered several benefits over previous methods for the pyrolysis of cellulose to anhydrosugars.