The role of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (Emim) carboxylate-type ionic liquid (IL) as the solvent and organocatalyst for transesterification reaction of cellulose was investigated. The reported method using Emim acetate and vinyl ester caused an undesired side reaction: the acetate anion derived from EmimOAc was introduced into cellulose ester. To improve the reaction system, ILs with a high cellulose solubility, a high degree of substitution (DS) value, and low side-reaction were systematically explored. Newly synthesized Emim p-anisate and a mixed solvent system achieved the transesterification reaction of cellulose with a high DS value derived from the employed vinyl esters (DS > 2.9), and a low DS value derived from side reaction (selectivity > 99%).
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