Interactions of ionic liquids with polysaccharides 9. Hydroxyalkylation of cellulose without additional inorganic bases

Water-soluble hydroxyalkyl cellulose with a molar degree of substitution of up to 2.79 was prepared under completely homogeneous reaction conditions in various ionic liquids without addition of inorganic bases. In acetate containing solvents the IL acts as a catalyst. The substitution patterns of the cellulose ethers were analyzed by 13C NMR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy after peracetylation and GLC/MS after permethylation and depolymerization. A diminished tendency towards the formation of side chains compared to heterogeneously prepared hydroxyalkyl celluloses in the presence of inorganic bases was found.