Direct Conversion of Cellulose into Alkyl Glycoside Surfactants

Abstract The one‐step production of biodegradable alkyl glycoside (1‐dodecyl mono‐ and oligoglucoside) surfactants from cellulose has been achieved by direct alcoholysis in fatty alcohol media under Brønsted acid catalysis at near‐ambient pressure. The fatty alcohol serves as both solvent and reagent. Addition of small amounts of water prevents dehydration events and thus minimises product and solvent degradation. Furthermore, high initial cellulose loadings and short thermal cycles enable moderate‐to‐high conversions and selectivities (up to ≈ 70 %), and low solvent‐to‐product ratios.