Esterification with orthophosphoric acid of cellulose samples with different extents of structural heterogeneity

Modification of cellulose samples with different extents of structural heterogeneity by esterification with orthophosphoric acid in the temperature range 140?C160??C was studied. The reaction yielded cellulose phosphates containing 3.2?C6.0 wt % P, with the ion-exchange capacity of 2.2?C3.0 mg-equiv g^?1. Introduction of phosphorus into cellulose leads to a slight decrease in the structural heterogeneity. The polymer with the lower ordering index is characterized by the higher phosphorus content, which suggests that the reaction mainly occurs in the amorphous part of the polymer.