Selective mono-N-2-carboxyethylation of chitosan in the presence of magnesium halides

► The solubility of chitosan in aqueous solutions varies in the order: LiCl < LiBr < LiI; MgCl2 < MgBr2 < MgI2. ► A novel process modification of chitosan - gel-state synthesis. ► Using for reaction gels of MgI2 or MgBr2 provides relative greater amount of the monosubstituted amino groups (73-87%) at the high degree of substitution (DS). ► Selective mono-N-2-carboxyethylation of chitosan.