Summary
Chitin was aminoalkylated with N,N-diethylaminoethyl chloride in organic solvents or aqueous solutions in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The substitution reactions in organic solvents occurred under heterogeneous conditions on dispersions of powdery chitin while those using alkali chitin solutions proceeded in solution. The latter reactions were more efficient and reproducible than the former ones due to the homogeneous reaction conditions. The resulting diethyl-aminoethyl-chitins showed much improved solubility in contrast to the insolubility of chitin. The derivatives prepared in aqueous solutions showed especially remarkable solubility; those with substitution degrees over 0.5 were readily soluble in water and highly swelled even in various common organic solvents.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
R. A. A. Muzzarelli, “Chitin”, Pergamon Press, Oxford (1977)
K. Kurita, in “Chitin in Nature and Technology,” ed. by R. A. A. Muzzarelli, C. Jeuniaux, and G. W. Gooday, Plenum Press, New York, 287 (1986)
L. L. McCormick and D. K. Lichatowich, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Lett. Ed.,17, 479 (1979)
F. A. Rutherford and P. R. Austin, Proc. Conf. Chitin/Chitosan, 1st, 1977, 182 (1978)
T. Ando and S. Kataoka, Kobunshi Ronbunshu,37, 1 (1980)
K. Kurita, Yukigosei Kagaku Kyokaishi,42, 567 (1984)
K. Kurita, S. Ishiguro, and T. Kitajima, Int. J. Biol. Macromol.,10, 124 (1988)
T. Sannan, K. Kurita, and Y. Iwakura, Makromol. Chem.,176, 1191 (1975)
K. Kurita, T. Sannan, and Y. Iwakura, Makromol. Chem.,178, 2595 (1977)
R. Trujillo, Carbohydr. Res.,7, 483 (1968)
K. Kurita, T. Sannan, and Y. Iwakura, Makromol. Chem.,178, 3197 (1977)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kurita, K., Inoue, S. & Koyama, Y. Studies on chitin. Polymer Bulletin 21, 13–17 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00700262
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00700262