Novel cellulose esters derived from the levopimaric acid-maleic anhydride adduct: synthesis, characterization, and properties

Abstract

Synthesis of maleated pimaric acid (MPA) cellulose esters is first reported in this work. Cellulose esterification was performed by reacting microcrystalline cellulose with monoacid chloride of MPA (MPA-Cl) in presence of pyridine as catalyst and reaction medium. The syntheses were started in a heterogeneous solid–liquid reaction medium, but as the reaction advanced, the reaction mass turned into a homogeneous solution. The effects of MPA-Cl/anhydroglucose unit molar ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction duration on the yield and degree of substitution (DS) of cellulose esters (CEs) were investigated. CEs with DS ranging from 2.6 to 2.8 were achieved at molar ratios of 5.5–6.0 after 12–16 h at 118 °C. The purified products were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. CEs are soluble or partially soluble in usual organic solvents, depending on DS. Transparent films were prepared using CE-cyclohexanone solutions.