Preparation and characterization of novel oxidized cellulose acetate methyl esters

► The methyl ester of OCA (OCAM) was successfully prepared from oxidized cellulose acetate (OCA). ► The viscosity-average molecular weights of the polymers were from ∼38,349 to ∼27,524. ► Powder X-ray diffraction studies revealed that OCAMs are low crystallinity materials. ► OCAM shows the highest solubility of 211-280 mg/ml in chloroform. ► The moisture sorption ability decreases significantly with acetylation and methylation of OC.