Esterification of cellulose with acyl-1H-benzotriazole

For the first time, the acylation of cellulose was realized by activation of carboxylic acid with 1H-benzotriazole. The reaction could be carried out under mild conditions. The acyl-1H-benzotriazole reacts with cellulose leading to cellulose acetate, butyrate, caproate, benzoate, myristate, and stearate with DS values between 1.07 and 1.89. The reaction proceeds completely homogeneously in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/TBAF × 3H₂O (tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate) using acyl-1H-benzotriazole as acylation agent. The cellulose esters were characterized by means of ¹H NMR, GPC measurements, and solubility tests.