High efficiency of superacid HF-SbF5 for the selective decrystallization-depolymerization of cellulose to glucose.
Résumé
Herein, we show that after polyprotonation, superacid HF-SbF(5) is able to selectively depolymerise cellulose to water-soluble carbohydrates with 68 wt% yield of glucose. This process is efficient at low temperature, thus avoiding the formation of side products as commonly observed with conventional acids.