Acid-catalysed direct transformation of cellulose into methyl glucosides in methanol at moderate temperatures

Cellulose can be transformed into methyl glucosides in methanol with yields of 50-60% in the presence of several acid catalysts under mild conditions (<= 473 K); H3PW12O40 provides the highest turnover number (similar to 73 in 0.5 h) for the formation of methyl glucosides among many acid catalysts examined.