An improved heterogeneous procedure has been found for the regioselective i
ntroduction of trityl and 4-methoxytrityl groups at the primary positions o
f cellulose. The 6-O-tritylcelluloses produced were completely methylated b
y MeI-NaOH in Me2SO solution. The trityl groups were then completely remove
d to afford 2,3-di-O-methylcellulose without significant degradation of the
polymer. H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy and degradation analysis showed les
s than 5% deviation from the regular substitution pattern. Under optimum re
action conditions, almost perfectly regular cellulose derivatives could be
obtained. Small changes in the substitution pattern had a strong effect on
the phase transitions of the O-methylcelluloses in water. It was shown by D
SC for the first time that perfect 2,3-di-O-methylcellulose does not underg
o phase separation at elevated temperatures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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