SYNTHESIS OF CELLULOSE-FATTY ACID-ESTERS FOR USE AS BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS

Long-chain fatty acid carbohydrate esters (FACE) were synthesized by t he acid chloride-pyridine reaction to different degrees of substitutio n (DS). The hydrolyzed soybean oil was used as the source of unsaturat ed fatty acids. High molecular weight FACE polymers are insoluble in c ommon solvents, such as benzene, toluene, THF, etc., and are highly wa ter resistant. However, FACE polymers of hydrolyzed cellulose (MW 180 kD) are soluble/swellable in toluene and can be cast into tough, flexi ble films. FACE polymer properties of tensile strength and elasticity vary with degree of substitution and polymer size.