Cellulose-p-toluenesulfonates: A valuable intermediate in cellulose chemistry

Organo-soluble cellulose-p-toluenesulfonates (tosylates) with an insignificant incorporation of chlorodeoxy functions were prepared by reacting cellulose dissolved in N,N-dimethyl acetamide/LiCl and used as intermediates in the design of cellulosics with new, unusual molecular structures. Thus, the remaining OH groups were acylated and sulfated yielding products with controlled lipophily and amphiphily which are promising polymers for self-organizing systems. The polarity reversal by tosylation was used for C-substitution reactions. The molecular structures of the products were proved by FTIR, H-1- and C-13-NMR spectroscopy.