Preparation of Cationic Starch Ether: A Reaction Efficiency Study

Abstract

Abstract Cationic starch ether, important as a papermaking additive, was prepared from native corn starch and 2‐chloro‐3‐hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride in aqueous media in a study to ascertain conditions yielding maximum reaction efficiency (RE). Based on the amount of monomer retained after exhaustive washing procedures, RE values of 84–88% were achieved with 0.025–0.05 mole of monomer/mole of starch. Degrees of substitution of up to 0.075 were investigated. A number of variables were studied that allow high RE under a variety of reaction conditions, including those involving low energy input. The excellent stability of the monomer during etherification suggests that the water‐soluble active monomer and salts could be recycled in subsequent reactions.