Direct conversion of lignocellulose to levulinic acid catalyzed by ionic liquid

Acidic ionic liquid (IL) [C(3)SO(3)Hmim] HSO4 was applied to catalyze lignocellulose conversion to levulinic acid (LA) in one pot with high selectivity under hydrothermal conditions. Through the optimization of reaction conditions, the highest yield of LA is 96.6 mol% (21.6 wt%) based on the amount of C6-sugars in the straw. The relationship between IL structure and LA yield was established, disclosing that acidity and hydrogen bonding ability of anions are crucial to the yield of LA. Moreover, the LA product can be readily separated through extraction by methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and IL can be reused over 5 cycles without loss of activity. In addition, the chemical structures and morphologies of the solid residues were investigated by DTG, SEM and IR, demonstrating the gradual conversion process of cellulose and hemicellulose accompanied by the formation of humin byproducts, whereas the lignin fraction of the straw sustains the scaffold structure without modifications during the reaction.