Synthesis and conformational properties of cyanoethyl–Scleroglucan

Cyanoethyl derivatives were obtained as intermediates in the chemical modification of the neutral polysaccharide Scleroglucan, aimed at attaining new ionic carbohydrate polymers. The chemical and conformational properties of the cyanoethylated polymer were investigated and compared with those exhibited by the native one. In particular, capillary viscosity and small angle X-ray scattering experiments demonstrated that in aqueous solutions cyanoethyl derivatives were not able to assume the triple helix structure typical of the parent sclecroglucan.