Mechanism of cellulose dissolution in the ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride: a C-13 and Cl-35/37 NMR relaxation study on model systems

C-13 and 35/37 Cl NMR relaxation measurements on several model systems demonstrate that the solvation of cellulose by the ionic liquid ( IL) 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([ C(4)mim] Cl) involves hydrogen-bonding between the carbohydrate hydroxyl protons and the IL chloride ions in a 1 : 1 stoichiometry.