Synthesis of Cellulose Methylcarbonate in Ionic Liquids using Dimethylcarbonate

Abstract Dialkylcarbonates are viewed as low‐cost, low‐toxicity reagents, finding application in many areas of green chemistry. Homogeneous alkoxycarbonylation of cellulose was accomplished by applying dialkycarbonates (dimethyl and diethyl carbonate) in the ionic liquid‐electrolyte trioctylphosphonium acetate ([P 8881 ][OAc])/DMSO or 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([emim][OAc]). Cellulose dialkylcarbonates with a moderate degree of substitution (DS∼1) are accessible via this procedure and cellulose methylcarbonate was thoroughly characterized for its chemical and physical properties after regeneration. This included HSQC & HMBC NMR, ATR‐IR, molecular weight distribution, morphology, thermal properties, and barrier properties after film formation.