PNNL

Abstract

Efficient hydrolytic depolymerization of crystalline cellulose to sugars is a critical step and has been a major barrier for improved economics in the utilization of cellulosic biomass. We report a novel catalytic system involving paired metal chlorides in an ionic liquid that considerably accelerates the rate of cellulose depolymerization under mild conditions. Paired metal chlorides, consisting of CuCl2 (primary metal chloride) and a second metal chloride, such as CrCl2, PdCl2, CrCl3 or FeCl3 in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIM]Cl) solvent were found to substantially accelerate the hydrolytic cleavage of 1,4-glucosidic bonds as compared to known acid-catalyzed hydrolysis in similar temperature range (80-120°C). In contrast, single metal chlorides with the same total molar loading showed much lower activity under similar conditions. Experimental results illustrate the dramatic effect of the second metal chloride in the paired catalytic system. A combination of characterization techniques, including electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, were used to reveal a preliminary understanding of possible mechanisms involved in the paired CuCl2/PdCl2 catalytic system. Results suggest that the C2-proton of the imidazolium ring may be activated by the paired metal-chloride catalysts.