Novel cellulose-based polyelectrolytes synthesized via the click reaction

Novel polyelectrolytes were prepared by conversion of 6-azido-6-deoxycellulose with acetylenedicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester and subsequent saponification. Up to 62% of the azide moieties were converted. The reaction was completed within 48 h using 2 moles of acetylenedicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester per mole of modified anhydroglucose unit. FTIR and NMR spectroscopy were applied to elucidate the molecular structure of the polymers. The polymer degradation was acceptable during this two-step reaction. The resulting biopolymer derivatives were water soluble and reduced the surface tension on water significantly. Moreover, they form ionotropic gels with multivalent metal ions.