Selective conversion of cellulose to levulinic acid via microwave-assisted synthesis in ionic liquids

► SO3H-functionalized ILs selectively catalyzed cellulose conversion to levulinic acid. ► Microwave irradiation improved production of levulinic acid from cellulose. ► The highest yield of levulinic acid was 55.0%. ► Catalytic activities of SFILs depend on anions. ► Further esterification enabled product separation and SFIL recovery.