Solution properties of cellulose tris(3,5-dimethyl-phenylcarbamate)

The dilute-solution behavior and liquid crystal formation of cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (CTDC) in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) at 25°C are discussed by summarizing our recent studies, and its molecular characteristics are compared with those of cellulose tris(phenylcarbamate) (CTC) in the same solvent. The molecular weight dependences of optical anisotropy factor, radius of gyration, intrinsic viscosity (η]), and isotropic-cholesteric phase boundary concentration for CTDC are explained consistently by current theories based on the wormlike chain. An analysis of the newly measured η] for CTC shows that the backbone conformation and chain stiffness are substantially the same for the two cellulose derivatives in NMP. However, a distinct difference in optical anisotropy is found and briefly discussed in relation to the higher optical resolution capacity of CTDC than that of CTC in chromatographic separation of racemic compounds.