The Reactions of Cellulose with Amic Acids and Anhydride Ammonia

Abstract

The reactivity of phthalamic add toward primary and secondary hydroxyl groups in ester formation was studied to provide insight into the mechanism of the same esterification involving cellulosic fabrics. The over-all stoichiometry of the amic acid, alcohol reaction and the effect of the dielectric constant of the reaction medium were also examined. Isomeric pairs of low molecular weight primary and secondary alcohols and also methanol were used as models for this study. Reactivity was characterized by determination of yields in the esterification reaction. Conclusions based on the reactions of the model compounds were tested using polymeric alcohols. The mechanistic implications of the results are discussed.