The effect of hydrogen bond acceptor properties of ionic liquids on their cellulose solubility

It is nowadays well-known that ionic liquids can dissolve cellulose. However, little systematic data has been published that shed light onto the influence of the ionic liquid structure on the dissolution of cellulose. We have conducted H-1 NMR spectroscopy of ethanol in a large number of ionic liquids, and found an excellent correlation of the data obtained with the hydrogen acceptor properties (beta-values). With this tool in hand, it is possible to distinguish between cellulose-dissolving and non-dissolving ionic liquids. A modulating effect of both, the anion of the non-dissolving ionic liquid and its cation was found in solubility studies with binary ionic liquid mixtures. The study was extended to other non-dissolving liquids, namely water and dimethylsulfoxide, and the effect of the cation was also investigated.