Selective Depolymerization of Cellulose to Low Molecular Weight Cello-Oligomers Catalyzed by Betaïne Hydrochloride

Abstract

This study aims to demonstrate that depolymerization of cellulose can be closely controlled in a reaction media made of betaïne hydrochloride (BHC) and [TBMA]Cl opening the route to low molecular weight cello-oligomers that exhibit a high potential for marketing in the production of surfactants and thickener agents. The main advantages of this process rely on (1) the sustainability of BHC, (2) convenient isolation of cello-oligomers, and (3) recyclability of BHC and [TBMA]­Cl. On the other hand, we demonstrate that this work can be also considered as an efficient pretreatment process of cellulose. Indeed, whereas in water cellulose is recalcitrant to hydrolysis, we show here that recovered cello-oligomers can be subsequently readily converted in water to glucose.

Natural Product Glycine Betaine as an Efficient Catalyst for Transformation of CO2 with Amines to Synthesize N-Substituted Compounds

“…Nowadays, increasing attention has been paid to the utilization of naturally occurring or biomass-derived compounds as sustainable catalysts or solvents. , Glycine betaine, widely existing in plants, is a kind of quaternary ammonium alkaloid possessing a zwitterionic structure (Scheme ). As a biodegradable, harmless, and cheap raw material, glycine betaine has been employed as a catalyst, , in medicine, , and as a food additive. , Due to its basicity, glycine betaine has great potential to be used as a basic catalyst. Generally, basic catalysts are the most used catalysts for the synthesis of N -substituted compounds using CO 2 as the carbon resource with organosilanes as the reductant. , However, to the best of our knowledge, biodegradable glycine betaine has not yet been used as a catalyst in this kind of important reaction.…”

“…55,56 Glycine betaine, widely existing in plants, is a kind of quaternary ammonium alkaloid possessing a zwitterionic structure (Scheme 1). As a biodegradable, harmless, and cheap raw material, glycine betaine has been employed as a catalyst, 57,58 in medicine, 59,60 and as a food additive. 61,62 Due to its basicity, glycine betaine has great potential to be used as a basic catalyst.…”

Recent advances in liquid hydrosilane-mediated catalytic N-formylation of amines with CO2

“…It has a broad application prospect in the catalytic eld owing to its basicity. 55,56 Therefore, it is of great signicance to apply for the reductive amidation of CO 2 . So, the reaction of formylation of amines, and CO 2 with Ph 2 SiH 2 catalyzed by GB was studied by He and co-workers at a relatively low temperature of 50 C. 54 It is found that the catalytic system has a wide range of applicability.…”

Dialysis-Free and in Situ Doping Synthesis of Polypyrrole@Cellulose Nanowhiskers Nanohybrid for Preparation of Conductive Nanocomposites with Enhanced Properties

“…Cellulose is an almost inexhaustible raw material derived from nature with a biomass production of 1.5 × 10 12 tons per year. − Cellulose nanowhiskers (CNs), which are derived from natural cellulose fibers by controlled acid hydrolysis, have attracted much attention because of their unique properties: , enriched surface active groups, high aspect ratio and specific surface area, good water dispersibility, strong yet lightweight, and most importantly, environmental sustainability. Hence, CNs are widely used in numerous applications such as polymer reinforcement, enzyme immobilization, drug delivery, catalyst support, etc. − …”