Novel, fluorescence active cellulosic polymers with high degree of fun
ctionalization of up to 1.0 were synthesized in homogeneous phase (cel
lulose in N,N-dimethylacetamide/LiCl and 6-O-thexyldimethylsilylcellul
ose in pyridine) with a mixed anthracene-9-carboxylic/p-toluenesulfoni
c acid anhydride. This novel and effective synthetic method yield the
pure carboxylic acid esters of the polymers, which were characterized
by means of FTIR-as well as H-1 and C-13 NMR-spectroscopy. The polymer
s show typical fluorescence spectra, which are identical with the non-
bond anthracene-9-carboxylic acid.