Homogeneous modification of cellulose with succinic anhydride in ionic liquid using 4-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst

Cellulose, extracted from sugarcane bagasse, was successfully succinylated in ionic liquid 1-buty-3-methylimidazolium (BMIMCl) using 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as a catalyst. Parameters investigated included the mass ratio of DMAP/succinic anhydride in a range from 0% to 15%, reaction time (from 30 to 120 min), reaction temperature (from 60 to 110 °C). The succinylated cellulosic derivatives had a degree of substitution (DS) ranging from 0.24 to 2.34. It was found that the DS of succinylated cellulosic derivatives using DMAP as a catalyst was higher than that without any catalyst under the same reaction conditions. The products were characterized by FT-IR, solid-state CP/MAS ¹³C NMR, and thermal analysis. FT-IR and solid-state CP/MAS ¹³C NMR spectra showed that succinoylation occurred at C-6, C-2 and C-3 positions. The thermal stability of the succinylated cellulose decreased upon chemical modification.