Peracetylated cellulose: end group modification and structural analysis by means of1H-NMR spectroscopy

Abstract

A homologous series of partially hydrolyzed celluloses (level-off-DP cellulose) with weight-average molecular weight (DP w ) < 150 were peracetylated and characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The results demonstrate the utility of 1H-NMR spectroscopy to assign the chemical shifts of all end groups of the peracetylated cellulose. On the one hand, the chemical shifts of all methine and methylene protons of the non-reducing terminal end group (TEG) as well as the α- and β-anomer of the reducing end group (REG) could be determined by two-dimensional NMR techniques (COSY-DQF) and by selective excitation of isolated proton signals (1D-TOCSY) of these end groups. On the other hand, the spectral resolution was high enough to determine the number-average molecular weight (DP n ) of peracetylated level-off-DP cellulose (LODP cellulose acetates) as shown in comparison with the data of gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This molecular weight determination of cellulose using end group analysis by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy was demonstrated for the first time. Furthermore, a specific modification of hydroxyls in end groups could be exemplified in case of 1-OH-deacetylation of the REG of peracetylated LODP cellulose.