A new protection group strategy for cellulose in an ionic liquid: simultaneous protection of two sites to yield 2,6-di-O-substituted mono-p-methoxytrityl cellulose

Increased reactivity of cellulose in ionic liquids was revealed when cellulose was protected with a 4-methoxytrityl moiety in the imidazolium-based ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([amim]Cl). Selectively protected 2,6-di-O-(4-methoxytrityl)cellulose was obtained in one reaction step with a DS of close to 2, and was characterised by NMR.