PROPERTIES OF REGIOSELECTIVELY SUBSTITUTED ANIONIC CELLULOSE POLYELECTROLYTES

In relation to recent results of regioselective reactions in cellulose chemistry, the synthesis and properties of important cellulose polyel ectrolytes, namely of carboxymethyl cellulose and cellulose sulfate ar e described. Synthesis paths leading to such cellulose polyelectrolyte s with an unusual pattern of the distribution of functional groups wer e developed using protecting group technique, activation effects, as w ell as phase separation phenomena. The regioselective distribution of functional groups within the anhydroglucose repeating unit at fixed de gree of substitution and along the polymer chain is shown to be especi ally relevant, e.g., to solubility, salt tolerance, and interaction wi th human blood.