The structural directivity of the phosphorylation of cellulose by poly
phosphoric acid within the pyranose ring was studied by esterification
of a partially substituted ester by methanesulfonyl chloride. The pro
cess occurred predominantly at the primary alcoholic groups in the cel
lulose macromolecule, and in this case the degree of substitution vari
ed from gamma = 0.3-0.6.