Cellulose carbamates transcarbamoylation/transurethanization of methyl carbamates in superbase-acid conjugate ionic liquids.

A sustainable homogeneous transcarbamoylation/transurethanization protocol for cellulose modification with methyl -substituted carbamates was developed. The protocol utilizes the superbase ionic liquid [mTBNH][OAc], not only as a green reaction medium, but also as a promotor of the transformation. This approach allows to obtain different cellulose carbamates with controllable degrees of substitution.