The paper deals with the functionalization of starch with cationic gro
ups by reaction with aminating agents in presence of alkali. Aminated
starch is of potential utility in the environmental chemistry area due
to its capacity to adsorb heavy metals and to used as flocculant. Two
types of cationic starches bearing primary or quaternary ammonium gro
ups were prepared using the dry state process, via reacting starch wit
h 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl amine und glycidyl trimethyl ammonium aceta
te respectively in presence of sodium hydroxide. The different factors
affecting these reactions were investigated. These factors include so
dium hydroxide/amine, amine/starch molar ratios, type of starch, react
ion duration and temperature. The amination extent and amination react
ion efficiency percent were traced by estimating the nitrogen content
of the aminated starch. The prepared cationic starches bearing primary
amino group were water insoluble and used as heavy metal ions adsorbe
r. The cationic starches bearing quaternary ammonium groups were water
soluble and can be used as flocculant.