Determination of the substitution pattern in the polymer chain of cellulose sulfates

The distribution of substituents in cellulose sulfates has been determined on different structural levels. Based on the determination of the monomer composition, a method has been developed to describe the sulfate pattern in the polymer chain. This approach comprises permethylation, desulfation, deuteromethylation, random cleavage, remethylation, fast-atom bombardment mass spectrum (FABMS) analysis and comparison of the experimental data with those calculated for a random sulfation pattern. Results are discussed with respect to the conditions of the sulfation reactions. In addition, the amount of glucose that could be hydrolyzed from the cellulose sulfates by enzymic digestion was determined. Results of both the random and the selective approach were in good agreement.