Cellulose Studies. Part XVI. The Reaction of Cellulose with Formaldehyde

Abstract

A new method for reacting cellulose and formaldehyde in the vapor phase using acid catalysts is described. Acids as weak as boric acid were effective in introducing up to 6% covalently bonded formaldehyde. The results of reaction conditions where catalyst concentration ranged from 1%-10% and reaction temperature ranged from 110°-150°C are presented. A chemical investigation of the structure of the product of the reaction showed that formalde- , hyde preferentially substitutes the secondary hydroxyl groups of cellulose to yield a 'structure represented by the general formula R-O-CH2-O-R', where R and R' indicate glucose residues in parallel chains.