NMR investigation of chitosan derivatives formed by the reaction of chitosan with levulinic acid

Chitosan derivatives are obtained by reaction of chitosan with a low degree of acetylation and levulinic acid under different experimental conditions. The chemical structure of the different derivatives obtained is determined using H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopies. The intrinsic viscosity is used to follow the molecular weight evolution. Finally, conditions are described in which water-soluble N-carboxybutylchitosan is obtained. In particular, the time of the reduction step and the ratio between reagents are investigated. Under mild conditions and short times of reduction there is a very low degree of substitution and only the monocarboxybutylchitosan is formed. The dicarboxylated form is never observed. The cyclic derivative (5-methylpyrrolidinone chitosan) is obtained when the reducing agent is added slowly to the reactants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.