Structure design of polysaccharides: novel concepts,selective syntheses,high value applications

Using protecting silyl groups, catalyzed transesterification, and stereochemically controlled S_N2 mechanisms examples of well‐defined 2‐, 3‐, 6‐, and 2,6‐ethers, esters, resp. amino derivatives of cellulose, starch, and related polysaccharides have been synthesized and characterized by two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Supramolecularly structured polymer matrices useful in biosensors could be developed by immobilization of enzymes like glucose oxidase and aromatic redox‐chromogenic structures at 6‐deoxy‐6‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐aminocellulose. Cellulose tubes “grown” biotechnologically from D‐glucose in the culture medium of Acetobacter xylinum represent novel types of artificial blood vessels because of their unique highly‐swollen nanofiber network‐structure.