Phenoxyhydroxypropylhydroxyethylcellulose-new amphiphilic cellulose derivative

A new amphiphilic cellulose derivative phenoxyhydroxypropylhydroxyethylcellulose of substitution degree up to 0.67 was synthesized by reaction of water-soluble hydroxyethylcellulose with 2,3-epoxypropylphenylether in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. The chemical composition of the derivative was confirmed by means of UV, IR- and C-13-NMR-spectroscopy. The derivatives with substitution degree up to 0.12 are soluble in water and water-alcohol mixtures. With increasing substitution degree, the polymers lose their water solubility, but still dissolve in water-alcohol mixtures. All products are soluble in aprotic solvents. The effect of the reaction conditions, such as temperature and molar ratios of reaction components, on both the reaction rate and degree of substitution was investigated.