Synthesis of cellulose methylcarbonate in ionic liquids using dimethylcarbonate

Dialkylcarbonates are viewed as low-cost, low-toxicity reagents, finding application in many areas of green chemistry. Homogeneous alkoxycarbonylation of cellulose was accomplished by applying dialkycarbonates (dimethyl and diethyl carbonate) in the ionic liquid-electrolyte trioctylphosphonium acetate ([P8881] [OAc])/DMSO or 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([emim] [OAc]). Cellulose dialkylcarbonates with a moderate degree of substitution (DS ∼ 1) are accessible via this procedure and cellulose methylcarbonate was thoroughly characterized for its chemical and physical properties after regeneration. This included HSQC & HMBC NMR, ATR-IR, molecular weight distribution, morphology, thermal properties, and barrier properties after film formation.