Microwave-assisted synthesis of alkyl cellulose in aqueous medium

Atanu Biswas; S Kim; G W Selling; H N Cheng

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.01.022

Microwave-assisted synthesis of alkyl cellulose in aqueous medium

Carbohydr Polym. 2013 Apr 15;94(1):120-3. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.01.022. Epub 2013 Jan 23.

Authors

Atanu Biswas¹, S Kim, G W Selling, H N Cheng

Affiliation

¹ National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604, USA. atanu.biswas@ars.usda.gov

PMID: 23544519
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.01.022

Abstract

Alkyl celluloses are commercial products that are made typically in an alcohol medium over the course of several hours. In this work an alternative, simplified synthesis of alkyl cellulose is reported, using microwave irradiation and aqueous alkaline medium. No alcohol is needed during the reaction. Reaction time is less than 30 min. Conversion varies from 54 to 87%. The degree of substitution varied from 0.2 to 1.0. The production of methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose was confirmed by (13)C NMR and FTIR analysis.