DETERMINATION OF THE SUBSTITUTION PATTERN IN THE POLYMER-CHAIN OF CELLULOSE SULFATES

The distribution of substituents in cellulose sulfates has been determ ined on different structural levels. Based on the determination of the monomer composition, a method has been developed to describe the sulf ate pattern in the polymer chain. This approach comprises permethylati on, desulfation, deuteromethylation, random cleavage, remethylation, f ast-atom bombardment mass spectrum (FABMS) analysis and comparison of the experimental data with those calculated for a random sulfation pat tern. Results are discussed with respect to the conditions of the sulf ation reactions. In addition, the amount of glucose that could be hydr olyzed from the cellulose sulfates by enzymic digestion was determined . Results of both the random and the selective approach were in good a greement. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.