Influence of imidasolium ring substitution on chitin dissolution in ionic liquids

Presented paper discuss the influence of substitution of imidasolium ring on the solubility and structure of chitin. The 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride (BMIM)(Cl) and the 1-butyl-2,3- dimethyl imidazolium chloride (BMMIM)(Cl) were used as solvents. These ionic liquids differ by the presence of the substituent in position 2 that causes differences in physical and chemical properties. The surface of chitin particle was observe under electron microscope and chitin IR spectra were compared to investigated polymer structure after regeneration with water. It was found that both IL are good solvents for chitin. Moreover after regeneration chitin structure was similar to native one but became more porous.