Synthesis and structural characterization of 3-O-ethylene glycol functionalized cellulose derivatives

The synthesis of 3-O-ethylene glycol cellulosics via 2,6-di-O-thexyldimethylsilyl cellulose was studied. Reaction yield and degree of substitution were dependent on reaction conditions and size of the ethylene glycol group. The presence of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide in catalytic amounts and prolonged reaction times significantly increased the degree of substitution of the ethylene glycol substituents. However, the longer reaction times lead to significant degradation of the cellulosic polymer chain. The structure of the 3-O-ethylene glycol 2,6-di-O-thexyldimethylsilyl cellulose intermediates and the 3-O-ethylene glycol 2,6-di-O-acetyl celluloses were confirmed by means of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The degree of 3-O-ethylene glycol substitution was confirmed by quantitative ¹³C NMR ratified by T1 experiments.