• Temperature-responsive ionic liquids catalyze cellulose degradation. • Cellulose was degraded into 5-HMF and LA catalyzed by B - and L - acid sites. • The total yield of 5-HMF and LA was 91.46% at 180 °C for 1 h. • The appropriate ratio of B - to L - acid was beneficial for the synthesis of 5-HMF/LA.
Han et al. (Sat,) studied this question.