Nitroxide-mediated oxidation of cellulose using TEMPO derivatives: HPSEC and NMR analyses of the oxidized products

Abstract

Regenerated cellulose (viscose rayon) was oxidized using NaBr, NaClO and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) or one of ten related nitroxyl radicals in water at pH 10–11. The C6 primary hydroxyl groups in rayon were oxidized to carboxyl groups in most cases, thus giving water-soluble products. However, the oxidation times required for complete dissolution of the products varied substantially, depending on the nitroxyl radical used. Weight average degrees of polymerization (DPw) of the oxidized products were determined by means of high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) using pullulan standards. All the products had bimodal HPSEC distribution patterns, probably reflected by the solid-state structure of viscose rayon. When 4-acetamido-TEMPO and 4-carboxy-TEMPO were used, cellouronic acids having almost homogeneous chemical structures with higher DPw than for TEMPO were obtained quantitatively within 30 min. The oxidations using 4-amino-TEMPO, 4-carboxy-PROXYL and 4-carbamoyl-PROXYL gave cellouronic acids having the highest DPw, although reaction times of more than 4 h were required, and some side reactions occurred on the products.