Abstract
We found a very fast benzylation of cellulose in a tetraalkyl-onium hydroxide solvent system, 47% tetra-n-butylphosphonium hydroxide aqueous solution. Benzyl cellulose (BC) with a degree of substitution (DS) above 2.5 was obtained within 10 min at ambient temperature (20–25 °C) using ∼9 mol equiv of benzyl bromide to the anhydroglucose unit. The highly efficient benzylation proceeded in the transiently stabilized emulsion state of the reaction system, and the product precipitated out as a solid sediment in the liquid medium. At 20 °C, the benzyl DS was 1.92 after 2 min, and reached 2.40 and 2.53 after 5 and 10 min, respectively. The reaction temperature had a negative correlation with the maximum DS in the explored range of 10–50 °C. No significant degradation of the cellulosic main chain was observed for highly substituted BCs (DS > 2.5). The solubility of BC in common organic solvents was also examined for products with various DSs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
