Covalent coupling of a short polyether on sodium alginate: Synthesis and characterization of the resulting amphiphilic derivative

A covalent sodium alginate-polyoxyethylene model derivative was prepared by reductive amination of aldehydic sodium alginate, in order to obtain a polymer with amphiphilic properties. Characterization of this derivative was carried out by NMR spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and low-angle laser light scattering. The data obtained suggest a limited capacity of the polymer structure to expand, resulting from intramolecular self-aggregation and formation of hydrophobic microdomains.