In recent experiments acetylating cellulose fibers extracted from the leaves of a particular plant, weight loss was experienced. Experiments were repeated several times and reaction mixture was carefully filtered but still no weight gain. Has anyone experienced this and any possible explanation to this occurrence. Other fibers worked on showed weight gain after acetylation. XRD confirmed that cellulose was extracted from the fibers
Dear Opeoluwa Fasanya, possible fiber degradation is the reason. The following link may be helpfull. My Regards
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bm0056409
Thank you so much Abdelkader BOUAZIZ . The paper was quite helpful and insightful.
Are you sure that the extract is 100% cellulose fiber? the extract may contains components other than cellulose, another way you can increase the mole ratio, increase the acetylating reagent. You can using other techniques for acetylation
such as ultrasonic or microwave instead of refluxing.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Phytochemistry
- Extracts