Preparation of tri-O-benzylcellulose by the use of nonaqueous cellulose solvents

A procedure has been developed for preparing tri-O-benzylcellulose with higher yields than 90%. In this procedure, cellulose was dissolved in a nonaqueous cellulose solvent, SO₂–diethylamine (DEA)–dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and then powdered sodium hydroxide was added. To the suspension thus prepared, benzyl chloride was added in four portions under heating. Chemical and physical properties of tri-O-benzylcellulose were studied, and tri-O-benzylcellulose prepared from microcrystalline cellulose powder shows the characteristic of thermotropic liquid crystal.