A brief overview on the application of cellulose as an efficient and effective catalyst in organic reactions

The production of renewable and valuable chemicals from renewable biomass sources such as cellulose has attracted global attention in order to create sustainable societies. Cellulose is the most abundant non-food biomass and is of great economic importance. Unlike traditional catalysts derived from petroleum sources, cellulose offers several advantages such as renewability, biodegradability and compatibility with the principles of green chemistry. The use of heterogeneous catalysis can allow researchers to develop environmentally safe processes. Cellulose-based catalysts have shown significant activity in a wide range of reactions including hydrogenation, oxidation and polymerization. Their versatility is due to their ability to support all kinds of metal nanoparticles that act as active catalysis sites. Stabilization of metal nanoparticles on cellulose brings several advantages, including improving stability, preventing the accumulation of nanoparticles, and increasing their dispersibility. Cellulose shows its potential to create a great revolution in green chemistry. Therefore, cellulose's versatility, sustainability, and tunable properties make it an essential catalyst for a greener future. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the use of cellulose as a catalyst in organic reactions by Iranian researchers.