Derivatization of cellulose in lithium chloride and N-N-dimethylacetamide solutions

Abstract

The derivatization of cellulose in mixtures of lithium chloride and N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc) is described. A wide range of cellulose derivatives, including cellulose esters, carbamates, sulphonates and ethers, have been synthesized in homogeneous solution using the LiCl/DMAc solvent. In most cases, a high degree of substitution was achieved, and the degree of substitution could be controlled accurately. Compared to current heterogeneous synthesis of cellulose derivatives, reactions conducted in homogeneous solutions of LiCl/DMAc have many advantages: (1) reactions may be conducted at moderate temperatures; (2) less reagent is required; (3) less degradation of the cellulose occurs; and (4) substitution is uniformly controllable.