Synthesis of water-soluble cationic cellulose derivatives with tertiary amino groups

Water-soluble cellulose derivatives with tertiary amino groups up to substitution degree 0.8 (4.2% of coupled nitrogen) were prepared in a controlled manner by the interaction of cellulose acetate with N,N-diethylepoxypropylamine. It was shown that two reactions take place simultaneously, i.e., hydrolysis of acetyl groups and aminoalkylation of free hydroxyl groups of cellulose. The amino groups coupled to the cellulose are of middle basicity with pK _α ~9.5. Solubility of the products was found to be determined by the chemical composition of the cellulose derivative.