Efficient homogeneous chemical modification of bacterial cellulose in the ionic liquid 1-N-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

Bacterial cellulose (BC), a unique type of cellulose, with high degree of polymerization of 6 500 could be dissolved easily in the ionic liquid 1-N-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. For the first time, well-soluble BC acetates and carbanilates of high degree of substitution (up to a complete modification of all hydroxyl groups) were accessible under homogeneous and mild reaction conditions. Characterization of the new BC derivatives by NMR and FTIR spectroscopy shows an unexpected distribution of the acetyl moieties in the order O-6 > O-3 > O-2.