(651e) Fractionation, Conversion, and Valorization of Lignocellulosic Biomass in Inorganic Ionic Liquid (molten salt hydrate)

Molten salt hydrate, also called inorganic ionic liquid, is an aqueous solution of an inorganic salt at extraordinarily high concentration. Molten salt hydrate has many unique properties such as high boiling point, low vapor pressure, and liquid state at moderate temperature. Different from organic ionic liquids, molten salt hydrates have low cost, low viscosity, and low toxicity. More attractively, some molten salt hydrates are able to swell and dissolve cellulose and biomass. Therefore, they can be used as a solvent and reaction medium for biomass conversion and valorization. This presentation reports our recent research activities on using molten salt hydrates for fractionation, conversion, and valorization of lignocellulosic biomass, including cellulose dissolution and hydrolysis, biomass saccharification and fractionation, glucose isomerization, sugars/biomass to furan-based chemicals and hydrocarbons, lignin quantitation, and lignin depolymerization.