(418a) Catalytic Ionic Liquids for Biomass Conversion and Upgrading

Owing to its unique ability to dissolve lignocellulosic biomass under relatively mild conditions, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [C₂C₁im][OAc], has attracted rapidly growing interest as a solvent in biomass pretreatment. However, the catalysis role of [C₂C₁im][OAc] has been least studied for producing downstream platform chemicals in replacement of petro-derived chemicals. Herein, [C₂C₁im][OAc] is identified as an efficient catalyst for lignin depolymerization and sugar upgrading into platform chemicals under mild conditions. Specifically, [C₂C₁im][OAc] renders efficient lignin depolymerization into phenol derivatives (e.g., guaiacol and eugenol) in the presence of catalysts near 100 °C within 3 h; The carbene generated in the presence of [C₂C₁im][OAc] leads to quantitative self-condensation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to a high-value biorefinery product, 5,5’-di(hydroxymethyl)furoin (DHMF)-a potential C₁₂ kerosene/jet fuel intermediate through benzoin condensation. More catalytic reactions based on [C₂C₁im][OAc] have been proposed.