The detailed reaction behavior of cellulose in an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim][Cl]), was investigated. Glucose is a component of cellulose; its oligomerization was studied during treatment with [C2mim][Cl] at around 100°C. Glucose was polymerized to produce oligosaccharides such as disaccharides and trisaccharides. These oligosaccharides, however, disappeared upon prolonging the treatment time. Maltose, nigerose, kojibiose, laminaribiose, isomaltose, and

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... e were identified by gas chromatographmass spectrometer in the disaccharides produced. The yield of these disaccharides increased as the initial concentration of glucose in [C2mim] [Cl] increased. [C2mim][Cl], therefore, is a reagent capable of producing various oligosaccharides from glucose in the absence of a catalyst.