Chemical Modification of Polysaccharides and Applications in Strategic Areas

Abstract

The synthesis of new polymeric materials from the monomers is an arduous task, which does not always achieve the desired success. A very promising alternative that grows each year is the chemical modification of existing polymers. In this case, the polymer is one of the reagents of well-known properties and, through conventional chemical reactions, new functional groups can be inserted into the polymer chain, leading to a wide diversity of properties and applications for the new materials obtained. However, for the chemical modification reaction to succeed, it is critical that the polymer has reactive functional groups that can be used in chemical reactions. Polysaccharides are renewable, biodegradable and abundant natural polymers throughout the planet Earth, which have, on average, three hydroxyls in each repeating unit. With these characteristics, they have been extensively used in reactions of chemical modification, to reach biodegradable products, renewable sources and with important physicochemical properties for the industries. In this chapter, we will present different methodologies used in the synthesis of new materials from polysaccharides, as well as the study of their properties and technical feasibility of application in important sectors of the industry.