Abstract: 1-(4-sulfopropyl)-3-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate ([Psmim] HSO₄) was synthesized and its structure was characterized by FT-IR and ¹³C NMR. The catalytic performance of [Psmim] HSO₄ in liquefaction of fir sawdust was preliminarily investigated using 1-octanol as solvent. The liquefaction products were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TG, GC-MS. The structure of the synthesized ionic liquid was confirmed by the analysis of FT-IR and ¹³C NMR characterization. The liquefaction experimental results showed that the ionic liquid exhibited a good catalytic performance for the liquefaction of sawdust.The conversion of 66.5% was achieved when 8.6 mmol of catalyst was used with application of 10 g fir sawdust and 60 g 1-octanol at the temperature of 150 ℃ for 60 min. The surface of the solid residue was covered with lignin derivatives. The light oil mainly contained the liquefied products originated from cellulose and hemicellulose, and the heavy oil consisted mainly of the degradation products from lignin.

Key words: ionic liquid, fir sawdust, catalyst, liquefaction