Solid-catalyst, ionic-liquid combination shown to depolymerize cellulose.

The article reports on the demonstration of the researchers at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Germany, showing that solid acids are powerful catalysts for the hydrolysis of cellulose fraction of wood. Accordingly, the cellulose undergoes selective depolymerization into cellulose oligomers be readily precipitated through adding water.