Naturally Occurring alfa-Hydroxy Acids: Useful Organocatalysts for the Acetylation of Cellulose Nanofibres

JHON A. ÁVILA RAMÍREZ; CATALINA GÓMEZ HOYOS; SILVANA ARROYO; PATRICIA CERRUTTI; MARÍA L. FORESTI

Current Organocatalysis

BENTHAM SCIENCE

Lugar: Edinburg, Texas; Año: 2015 vol. 3 p. 161 - 168

2213-3372

Cellulose nanoribbons obtained from bacterial fermentation have been esterified by means of a solventless organocatalytic route. The esterification methodology involves acetic anhydride as acylant and three different alfa-hydroxy acids were tested as organocatalysts. By tuning the acetylation interval, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) with varying degree of substitution could be obtained (i.e. DS=0.27-0.90). Esterified BNC has been characterized in terms of its morphology, chemical structure, crystallinity, wettability and dispersibility in different sol-vents. The results indicate the efficacy of the present methodology for the smooth acetylation of cellulose nanoribbons at moderate conditions, thereby expanding the role of organocatalysts in reducing the hydrophilicity of bacterial cellulose nanoribbons.