Effect of NaCl on the conversion of cellulose to glucose and levulinic acid via solid supported acid catalysis

Cellulose is hydrolyzed to glucose, which is further converted to levulinic acid in the presence of Nafion, as a surface supported acid catalyst. The addition of simple alkali metal halide salts, including NaCl, provides significant enhancement to the yield. The catalyst can be recycled suggesting possible extension into a continuous flow reactor for the synthesis of the biofuel precursors.