Homogeneous sulfation of bagasse cellulose in an ionic liquid and anticoagulation activity

Homogeneous sulfation of bagasse cellulose (BC) with chlorosulfonic acid–dimethylformamide was accomplished in an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl). The BCS products from the sulfation had degrees of substitution (DS) in the range of 0.52–2.95 and a simultaneous substitution pattern at C-6, C-2 and C-3 positions. The sulfated BCS attained significant anticoagulation activity, causing a dose-dependent prolongation of coagulation time and inhibition of FIIa and FXa activities in human plasma. The anticoagulation activity of BCS showed a positive correlation with DS, and some of the activity indexes exceeded those of heparin.