Cellulose Conversion to Isosorbide in Molten Salt hydrate Media

An efficient process concept for the production of isosorbide is reported. Lignocellulose (after hemicellulose removal) is treated with a molten salt hydrate ZnCl2 medium in which cellulose is dissolved and reactions proceed: hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose, hydrogenation of glucose to glucitol (sorbitol), and further dehydration of glucitol to isosorbide. The ZnCl2 hydrate medium intensifies hydrolysis and catalyzes dehydration. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.