In a series of aqeous or water-containing solvent systems, C-13-NMR sp
ectra of cellulose have been recorded and quantitatively evaluated in
order to classify these systems into the categories of ''derivatizing'
' and ''nonderivatizing'' ones and, if relevant, to elucidate the site
of interaction within the anhydroglucose unit. Subject of investigati
on were some basic systems, some stronger acidic systems, alkaline sol
utions of cellulose carbamate in comparison to cellulose xanthate and
several aqueous metal complex solvents. Concentrated phosphoric acid,
formic acid and trifluoro acetic acid can be definitely classified as
derivatizing solvents, while an aqueous solution of ''triton B'' is no
nderivatizing and exhibits tile same cellulose spectrum as the nonderi
vatizing reference system LiCl/DMAC. In contrast to the xanthate syste
m an exclusive C-2 substitution was observed in the cellulose carbamat
e system. Cellulose solvent interaction carl be extremely different in
well-known aqueous complex solvents, as demonstrated by the spectrum
of cellulose in cadoxen, on one hand, and in FeTNa, on the other.