Homogeneous esterification of cellulose in room temperature ionic liquids

Homogeneous esterification of cellulose, which can control the molecular structure of the resultant cellulose esters and facilitate the versatility of cellulose‐based materials, has drawn much attention. Recently, the advent of room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) capable of dissolving cellulose has provided a new and versatile platform for the efficient and homogeneous esterification of cellulose. A variety of conventional, novel and functional cellulose esters have been successfully synthesized in ILs. Meanwhile, development of esterification techniques, utilization of agricultural residues and up‐scaling of pilot schemes of esterification in ILs have been in progress. This review summarizes the advances and developments in homogeneous synthesis of cellulose esters in ILs in recent decades.