Biodegradable Cellulose Graft Copolymers. I. Condensation-Type Graft Reactions

Abstract The synthesis of cellulose graft copolymers using condensation reactions to graft onto the cellulose backbone is described. Cellulose acetate (D.S. 2.27) was grafted with MDI and TDI. The cellulose acetate-MDI copolymer was further reacted with hydroxy-terminated poly(butadiene-styrene) copolymer and polyethylene glycol. Grafting was confirmed by Pmr and IR spectroscopy. The copolymers were easily deacetylated with NaOMe. The deacetylated products were readily degraded by cellulysin, faster than cellulose itself.