Investigation on Dissolution of Prawn Shell in Imidazolium Ionic Liquids([Amim]Cl)

Dissolving behavior,dissolving ability of prawn shell in [Amim]Cl were investigated in this paper. The result showed that the dissolve ability increased first and then declined by prolonging reaction temperature,reached a maximum at 137℃. The dis-solve ability increased by prolonging reaction time,but the concentration of prawn shell in ionic liquid tended to balance after 80min. Comparing with the FT-IR of the regenerated product of prawn shell and the FT-IR of prawn shell in literature,the result showed that the dissolving product of prawn shell in ionic liquid was mainly chitin. It was shown that ionic liquids were direct solvents for chitin.