This work deals with the coupling of model bioactive carboxylic acids (l-naphthylacetic acid, 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid (naproxen) and nicotinic acid) to dextran by direct reaction with their potassium salts using pyridine/sulfonyl chloride as activating agent. The structure of the resulting polymeric derivatives was determined by means of 'H and I3C NMR spectroscopy. The influence of the pyridine concentration, the type of sulfonyl chloride and the temperature on the reaction of dextran with potassium I-naphthyl acetate was evaluated. The activation energy was found to be 65,7 kJ/mol. 13CNMR spectra at 75,4 MHz of partially modified dextran with 1-naphthyl acetate groups were studied in order to evaluate the selectivity of the reaction between dextran and potassium 1-naphthyl acetate. Analysis of the spectra of ring carbons in the anhydroglucose units shows that the reactivity of the individual hydroxyl groups decreases in the order C2 > C4 > C3. The hydrolysis in the heterogeneous phase of some dextran polymers partially modified with 1-naphthyl acetate groups shows that the release of the bioactive compound is dependent on the hydrophilic character of the polymer as well as the pH value of the medium.Referring to the coupling of bioactive carboxylic acids to dextran, the stimulation of the direct reaction by using specific activators, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, proved to be partially successful5). On the other hand, the pyridinelp-toluenesulfonyl chloride system has been successfully used as an appropriate activating agent for the direct acylation, in the heterogeneous phase, of cellulose with the carboxylate salts 0 1997, Hiithig &