Production of disaccharides from glucose by treatment with an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidozolium chloride

Abstract

The detailed reaction behavior of cellulose in an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim][Cl]), was investigated. Glucose is a component of cellulose; its oligomerization was studied during treatment with [C2mim][Cl] at around 100 °C. Glucose was polymerized to produce oligosaccharides such as disaccharides and trisaccharides. These oligosaccharides, however, disappeared upon prolonging the treatment time. Maltose, nigerose, kojibiose, laminaribiose, isomaltose, and gentiobiose were identified by gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer in the disaccharides produced. The yield of these disaccharides increased as the initial concentration of glucose in [C2mim][Cl] increased. [C2mim][Cl], therefore, is a reagent capable of producing various oligosaccharides from glucose in the absence of a catalyst.