Process for the preparation of water-soluble cellulose hydrolysis products.

The title process comprises admixing cellulose with an ionic liq. capable of solvating or dissolving at least some of the cellulose, the ionic liq. being a compd. comprised solely of cations and anions (e.g., 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium sulfate) and which exists in a liq. state at a temp. at or below 150°, the cations in the ionic liq. having the general formula R1Z(R2)(R3)R4: in which Z represents a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, R1 represents a Me or Et group, each of R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, is selected from C4-8alkyl, optionally-substituted benzyl, optionally-substituted Ph, and C5-7cycloalkyl, and R4 represents C1-8 alkyl, optionally-substituted benzyl, optionally-substituted Ph or C5-7cyclohexyl; in which the optional substituents on a benzyl or Ph ring are one, two or three substituents selected from C1-4alkyl or alkoxy groups, halogen atoms and nitro groups; and treating the resulting solvate or soln. with an acid in the presence of water, the acid having a pKa in water of less than 2 at 25°. [on SciFinder(R)]