Solvent-free Synthesis of Cellulose Acetate by Solid Superacid Catalysis

Herein a novel process to synthesize cellulose acetate (CA) is reported in a solvent-free ball-milling reactor in the presence of solid superacid SO42−/ZrO2 as green catalyst. FT-IR and H1-NMR spectra reveal that the maximum degree of substitution (DS) of formed cellulose acetate can achieve 1.8, and the DS depends on the reaction time. This method provides a new environmental benign and simple way to synthesize cellulose acetate.