Efficient hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass to monosaccharides is a challenging step and the primary obstacle for the large scale production of cellulosic biofuels and chemical feedstock for polymer applications [1]. Ionic liquids are well known for their ability to dissolve cellulose. 

Our interest in the search for efficient catalytic methods for saccharification of polysaccharides has led us to develop -SO₃H group functionalized Brönsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) as solvents as well as catalysts [2], [3]. Later we found that these sulfuric acid derivatives can be used as catalysts in aqueous phase as well. For example, BAIL 1-(1-propylsulfonic)-3-methylimidazolium chloride aqueous solution was shown to be a better catalyst than H₂SO₄ of the same [H⁺] for the degradation of cellulose [4]. This observation is an important lead for the development of a BAIL based cellulase mimic type catalyst for the depolymerization of cellulose. Furthermore, we have investigated the effects of selected metal ions on 1-(1-propylsulfonic)-3-methylimidazolium chloride BAIL catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose in water at 140-170 °C. These results show that cellulose samples heated with Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺ as co-catalysts produce significantly higher TRS yields compared to the sample heated without the metal ions. 

This talk will present the development of BAIL based artificial cellulase type catalysts in aqueous, alcohol and acetone mediums, QSAR studies, catalyst immobilizations, applications on lignocellulosic biomass materials such as corn stover, switchgrass and poplar as well as catalyst recycling studies.