Selective conversion of chitin to levulinic acid catalyzed by ionic liquids: distinctive effect of <i>N</i>-acetyl groups

Abstract

Selective and green conversion of chitin to levulinic acid has been realized by catalysis of ionic liquids up to a yield of 67.0%. Two-approach mechanism was proposed in the presence of H-bonding networks mainly contributed by the <italic>N</italic>-acetyl groups.