A method for determination of the degree of chitin acetylation by IR s
pectroscopy of the films pre pared from a solution of chitin N-trifluo
roacetate in hexafluoroisopropanol was developed. For this purpose, fr
ee NH2-groups of chitin were trifluoroacetylated by trifluoroacetic an
hydride in hexafluoroisopropanol; and a degree of trifluoroacylated am
ino groups was determined using the absorption band of trifluoroacetam
ide (1720 cm(-1)). The method proposed is applicable for the hexafluor
oisopropanol-soluble chitin samples.