Efficient acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose in ionic liquid

A novel method for cellulose hydrolysis catalyzed by mineral acids in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C(4)mim]Cl) has been developed that facilitates the hydrolysis of cellulose with dramatically accelerated reaction rates at 100 degrees C under atmospheric pressure and without pretreatment.