Twenty-two
superbase-derived ionic liquids (SILs) (16 novel) including
16 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-enium carboxylate (DBU-SILs) and
6 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium carboxylate (DBN-SILs) were facilely
synthesized by coupling superbase cations with different carboxylic
anions for cellulose dissolution. Systematic investigations revealed
that the combination of the electron-donating groups, small steric
hindrance groups, and short-chain groups in carboxylate anions with
a larger ring in superbase cations facilitated cellulose dissolution.
The regenerated cellulose films produced from seven SILs ([DBUH][CH3CH2OCH2COO], [DBUH][CH3OCH2COO], [DBUH][CH2CHCOO], [DBUH][CH3COO], [DBUH][CH3CH2COO], [DBNH][CH3CH2OCH2COO], and [DBNH][CH3OCH2COO]) with excellent cellulose solubility exhibited similar
chemical structures, a high degree of polymerization, sufficient thermostability,
smooth morphology, and high mechanical strength. Moreover, room-temperature
SILs with low viscosity displayed a promising opportunity for large-scale
production of renewable packaging. Particularly, in addition to hydrogen
bond destruction by the joint action of anions and cations, the interactions
on (200) and (110) crystal planes of cellulose such as intermolecular
hydrogen bonds (O6–H···O3, O6–H···O2, and O2–H···O6) and van der Waals
forces were destroyed preferentially and violently by the SILs. This
work presented an available protocol in designing novel ILs for commercial
processing of cellulose.