Analysis of positions of substitution of O-carboxymethyl groups in partially O-carboxymethylated cellulose by the reductive-cleavage method

Composition mapping of highly substituted cellulose-ether monomers by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and probability-based data deconvolution

Cellulose ethers (CEs) are semi-synthetic polymers produced by derivatization of natural cellulose, yielding highly substituted products such as ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC) or methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MEHEC). CEs are commonly applied as pharmaceutical excipients and thickening agents in paints and drymix mortars. CE properties, such as high viscosity in solution, solubility, and bio-stability are of high interest to achieve required product qualities, which may be strongly affected by the substitution pattern obtained after derivatization. The average and molar degree of substitution often cannot explain functional differences observed among CE batches, and more in-depth analysis is needed. In this work, a new method was developed for the comprehensive mapping of the substitution degree and composition of β-glucose monomers of CE samples. To this end, CEs were acid-hydrolyzed and then analyzed by gradient reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using an acid-stable LC column and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. LC-MS provided monomer resolution based on ethylene oxide, hydroxyl, and terminating methyl/ethyl content, allowing the assignment of detailed compositional distributions. An essential further distinction of constitutional isomer distributions was achieved using an in-house developed probability-based deconvolution algorithm. Aided by differential heat maps for visualization and straightforward interpretation of the measured LC-MS data, compositional variation between bio-stable and non-bio-stable CEs could be identified using this new approach. Moreover, it disclosed unexpected methylations in EHEC samples. Overall, the obtained molecular information on relevant CE samples demonstrated the method's potential for the study of CE structure-property relationships.

Chemical structure analysis of starch and cellulose derivatives

Starch and cellulose are the most abundant and important representatives of renewable biomass. Since the mid-19th century their properties have been changed by chemical modification for commercial and scientific purposes, and there substituted polymers have found a wide range of applications. However, the inherent polydispersity and supramolecular organization of starch and cellulose cause the products resulting from their modification to display high complexity. Chemical composition analysis of these mixtures is therefore a challenging task. Detailed knowledge on substitution patterns is fundamental for understanding structure-property relationships in modified cellulose and starch, and thus also for the improvement of reproducibility and rational design of properties. Substitution patterns resulting from kinetically or thermodynamically controlled reactions show certain preferences for the three available hydroxyl functions in (1→4)-linked glucans. Spurlin, seventy years ago, was the first to describe this in an idealized model, and nowadays this model has been extended and related to the next hierarchical levels, namely, the substituent distribution in and over the polymer chains. This structural complexity, with its implications for data interpretation, and the analytical approaches developed for its investigation are outlined in this article. Strategies and methods for the determination of the average degree of substitution (DS), monomer composition, and substitution patterns at the polymer level are presented and discussed with respect to their limitations and interpretability. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and modern mass spectrometry (MS), including tandem MS, are the main instrumental techniques employed, in combination with appropriate sample preparation by chemical and enzymatic methods.

Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry for the investigation of endoglucanase selectivity on carboxymethyl cellulose

Endoglucanases are useful tools in the chemical structure analysis of cellulose derivatives. However, knowledge on the endoglucanase selectivity, which is of central importance for data interpretation, is still limited. In this study, new reverse-phase liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods were developed to investigate the selectivity of the endoglucanases Cel5A, Cel7B, Cel45A, and Cel74A from the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. The aim was to improve the identification of the regioisomers in the complex mixtures that are obtained after enzymatic hydrolysis. Reduction followed by per-O-methylation was performed in order to improve the separation in reverse-phase LC, increase MS sensitivity, and to facilitate structure analysis by MS/MS of O-carboxymethyl glucose and cellooligosaccharides. The cellulose selective enzymes that were investigated displayed interesting differences in enzyme selectivity on CMC substrates.

Improved matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry of carboxymethyl cellulose

A refined sample preparation procedure for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was developed for the evaluation of the degree of substitution (DS) in partially depolymerised carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). By adding ammonium sulphate to the sample mixture prior to the analysis, good quality mass spectra could be acquired. The usual time-consuming search for 'sweet-spots' at the crystalline rim of the MALDI target spot was also avoided. This quality improvement made it possible to investigate whether various positions on the target spot generated mass spectra in which the measured DS varied. The accuracy and reproducibility of the sample preparation procedure were tested by applying it on three commercial CMCs. The study shows that the DS values that were calculated from the spectra acquired from the centre region of the MALDI target spot were in better agreement with the DS provided by the supplier than were the values obtained from the large crystals at the target spot rim. This observation could be one reasonable explanation for the higher DS values reported in other publications. By applying our refined MALDI sample preparation procedure DS values that were in good agreement with the values provided by the manufacturer could be obtained. This indicates that MALDI-TOFMS of partially depolymerised CMCs can be used for an estimation of the DS as a complement to the more established methods, e.g. NMR, titrimetry, and chromatographic techniques.

Nature of Mechanoradical Formation of Substituted Celluloses as Studied by Electron Spin Resonance

Mechanically induced free radical (mechanoradical) formation of several substituted celluloses such as carboxylmethyl cellulose, chitin, and chitosan was studied based on electron-spin resonance (ESR) in comparison with those of plasma-induced radicals. Room temperature ESR spectra had multicomponent spectra and were different in pattern from each other. The mechanoradical concentration gradually decreased after reaching the maximum value in each substituted polysaccharide, accompanied by a decrease in molecular weight in the course of vibratory milling. One of the most intriguing facts is that the component radicals are all glucose-based radicals as in the case of plasma irradiation, although it is known that mechanoradicals are formed by 1,4-glucosidic bond cleavage of polysaccharides.

Reductive cleavage of the positional isomers of benzoylated and methylated methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside

The four O-benzoyl-tri-O-methyl positional isomers, the six di-O-benzoyl-di-O-methyl positional isomers, the four tri-O-benzoyl-O-methyl positional isomers, and the tetra-O-benzoyl derivative of methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside were synthesized, characterized, and subjected to reductive cleavage in the presence of triethylsilane and trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. The reactions were monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy in order to establish the rates of the reactions and the identities of the products so formed. The tetra-O-benzoyl derivative, all tri-O-benzoyl-O-methyl positional isomers, and the 2.4-di-O-benzoyl-3.6-di-O-methyl positional isomer were fully stable to reductive-cleavage conditions, but the other di-O-benzoyl-di-O-methyl positional isomers and all O-benzoyl-tri-O-methyl positional isomers were converted to their respective 1.5-anhydro-D-mannitol derivatives via reductive cleavage of their anomeric carbon-oxygen bonds. For the mono-O-benzoyl positional isomers, the rate of reductive cleavage decreased in the order 2-O-benzoyl > 6-O-benzoyl > 3-O-benzoyl approximately 4-O-benzoyl. Moreover, all mono-O-benzoyl positional isomers were cleaved at a much faster rate than the di-O-benzoyl positional isomers. These results suggest that both anchimeric assistance and inductive effects of the ester groups contribute to the observed reaction rate. Based upon these results it is suggested that reductive cleavage of benzoylated polysaccharides might serve as a means to cleave selectively at branched residues.

Reductive cleavage of glycosides with borane complexes in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate

Mixtures consisting of five equivalents each of borane.methyl sulfide and boron trifluoride etherate per equivalent of acetal or five equivalents of various amine-borane complexes and 10 equivalents of boron trifluoride etherate readily accomplished reductive cleavage of the glycosidic linkages of several per-O-methylated monosaccharides and polysaccharides. In all cases, the expected products were obtained in the expected molar proportions and no artifactual products were observed. Reductive-cleavage analysis using these reagents is particularly convenient because the reagents themselves are easy to handle and because subsequent acetylation of the products is accomplished in situ.

Synthesis and characterization of authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-L-fucitol

Described herein is the synthesis of all positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-L-fucitol. The benzoates are generated simultaneously from 1,4-anhydro-L-fucitol by sequential partial methylation and benzoylation or sequential partial benzoylation and methylation. The individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation and acetylation provided the corresponding acetates. The 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron-ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative are reported herein as are the linear temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative on three different capillary columns.

Authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-D-xylitol

Described herein is a general method for the synthesis of all positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,4-anhydro-D-xylitol. The benzoates are generated simultaneously from 1,4-anhydro-D-xylitol by sequential partial methylation and benzoylation or sequential partial benzoylation and methylation. The individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation and acetylation provided the corresponding acetates. The 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative are reported herein as are the linear temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative on three different capillary columns.

Authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-galactitol

Described herein is an efficient method for the synthesis of the sixteen positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-galactitol. The compounds are generated simultaneously by partial methylation of 1,5-anhydro-D-galactitol and subsequent benzoylation, and the individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation and acetylation yielded the desired acetates. Reported herein are the 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron-ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tetra-O-methyl derivative. Also reported for the acetates and the tetra-O-methyl derivative are their linear temperature-programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices on three different capillary columns.

Authentic standards for the reductive-cleavage method. The positional isomers of partially methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-fucitol

Described herein is an efficient method for the synthesis of the eight positional isomers of methylated and acetylated or benzoylated 1,5-anhydro-D-fucitol. The compounds are generated simultaneously by partial methylation of 1,5-anhydro-D-fucitol and subsequent benzoylation, and the individual isomers are obtained in pure form by high-performance liquid chromatography. Debenzoylation of the latter and acetylation yielded the desired acetates. Reported herein are the 1H NMR spectra of the benzoates and the electron-ionization mass spectra of the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative. Also reported for the acetates and the tri-O-methyl derivative are their linear temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography retention indices on three different capillary columns.

Studies of model compounds for the analysis of ester-containing polysaccharides by the reductive-cleavage method

The four O-propionyl regioisomers of methyl tri-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and the 2- and 3-O-propionyl regioisomers of methyl tri-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside were subjected to reductive cleavage in the presence of Et3SiH and Me3SiOSO2CF3, BF3.Et2O, or Me3SiOSO2Me-BF3.Et2O. The O-propionyl group was stable when either Me3SiOSO2CF3 or BF3.Et2O was the catalyst, but was slowly reduced to the (1-propyl) ether when Me3SiOSO2Me-BF3.Et2O was the catalyst. Reductive cleavages catalyzed by Me3SiOSO2CF3 were complete in 6 h, those catalyzed by BF3.Et2O required at least 24 h, and those catalyzed by Me3SiOSO2Me-BF3.Et2O required 30 min or less. In the alpha-series, the rate of reductive cleavage decreased in the order 6-O-propionyl greater than 4-O-propionyl greater than 3-O-propionyl much greater than 2-O-propionyl. The reductive cleavage of beta anomers was faster than that of the corresponding alpha anomers. This effect was particularly striking for the alpha and beta anomers of the 2-O-propionyl regioisomer, as would be expected on the basis of a participation reaction.

Synthesis and mass spectra of 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O -(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-D-glucitol and the positional isomers of 4- O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-O-methyl-D-glucitol and 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol

Reductive cleavage of fully methylated, partially O-carboxymethylated cellulose had previously been shown to produce 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-, -2-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-3,6-di-O-methyl-, -3-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2,6-di-O-methyl-, -6-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2,3-di-O-methyl-, -2,3-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-O-methyl-, -2,6-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-3-O-methyl-, -3,6-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2-O-methyl-, and -2,3,6-tri-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-D-glucitol. Described herein is the independent synthesis of these derivatives, except for the first, which had been reported. In addition, their 1H-n.m.r. spectra, chemical-ionization (NH3) mass spectra, and electronionization mass spectra are tabulated.