Issue 12, 2019

Synthesis of high molecular weight chitosan from chitin by mechanochemistry and aging

Abstract

Chitosan can be obtained from the deacetylation of chitin. This process is however difficult and usually accompanied by depolymerization, affording low molecular weight chitosan. We report a novel path, relying on the combination of mechanochemistry and aging, to yield high molecular weight chitosan with minimal use of energy and solvent. This method is versatile and applicable to a number of chitin sources, including crude crustacean and insect shells, yielding deacetylation up to 98% and remarkably high molecular weights. Chitin deacetylation was studied by magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular weight was estimated by viscometry. This process affords chitosan in a safer fashion and with less materials and energy usage compared to the classic hydrothermal one.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of high molecular weight chitosan from chitin by mechanochemistry and aging

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 jul. 2018
Accepted
26 mar. 2019
First published
26 mar. 2019

Green Chem., 2019,21, 3276-3285

Synthesis of high molecular weight chitosan from chitin by mechanochemistry and aging

T. Di Nardo, C. Hadad, A. Nguyen Van Nhien and A. Moores, Green Chem., 2019, 21, 3276 DOI: 10.1039/C9GC00304E

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