LAUSR

Abstract Synthesis possibility of cellulose sulfates with a low and high degree of substitution (DS) by direct homogenous sulfation of cotton cellulose in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMA/LiCl) using SO3/pyridine (Py) complex was studied comprehensively. The sulfation reactions were carried at different temperatures, time durations, amount of the sulfating reagent and celluloses with varying weight average degree of polymerization (DPw). It was found that the method is very appropriate to prepare sodium cellulose sulfate (SCS) with low and high DS from celluloses having wide range DPw. Completely water-soluble SCS samples with regulable DS values from 0.23 to 2.56 were obtained. Suitable conditions were proposed to gain high sulfate content and the samples with DS values of 2.16–2.32, and yield of 69.4–77.8% could be prepared in these conditions. Celluloses with low and high DPw values exhibited similar reactivity for sulfation. Precipitation of the product and drastic depolymerization in the polymer chain have not occurred during the reaction.