Kinetic study of acid-catalyzed cellulose hydrolysis in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

► Kinetics of cellulose hydrolysis of in ionic liquids was studied. ► General kinetic equations for the formation of glucose as well as cellooligomers were constructed at the molecular level. ► The profile of the evolution of cellooligomers over time was obtained. ► Insights into the detailed mechanisms of cellulose hydrolysis in a non-aqueous, homogenous environment were provided.