Methods for producing cationic 1,3-alpha-glucan

Abstract

Cationic α-1,3-glucans and methods for producing cationic α-1,3-glucans, and compositions that include cationic α-1,3-glucans, which may be used as a polyelectrolyte, a flocculant, etc. The methods may include contacting a α-1,3-glucan and a haloacyl halide to produce a haloacylated α-1,3-glucan, and contacting the haloacylated α-1,3-glucan and the amine to produce the cationic α-1,3-glucan. The methods may include forming one or more homogeneous mixtures, such as solutions of one or more starting materials, intermediate products, etc.

Description

METHODS FOR PRODUCING CATIONIC 1,3-ALPHA-GLUCANCross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to Finnish Patent Application No. 20246446, filed December 10, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 713,412, filed October 29, 2024, which are incorporated by reference herein.Background

[0002] Cationic polysaccharides are useful in a number of processes, compositions, etc. (e.g., WO2023287684). For example, cationic polysaccharides or compositions that include cationic polysaccharides may be used as polyelectrolytes, flocculants, etc.

[0003] There remains a need for cationic polysaccharides and methods for producing cationic polysaccharides, such as betainate substituted a- 1,3 -glucans. There also remains a need for cationic polysaccharides that are hydrolysable, including those that are hydrolysable and capable of maintaining cationicity for a time effective to serve one or more purposes or roles, such as to serve as a flocculant. There also remains a need for cationic polysaccharides that are biodegradable, including those that biodegrade into one or more environmentally benign decomposition products.Brief Summary

[0004] Provided herein are cationic a- 1,3-glucans, methods of producing cationic a-1,3-glucans, and compositions that address one or more of the foregoing needs.

[0005] In one aspect, methods for producing cationic polysaccharides, such as cationic a-l,3-glucans are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include contacting a-l,3-glucan, ahaloacyl halide, and an amine, such as a tertiary amine, to produce a cationic a-l,3-glucan. In some embodiments, the methods include contacting a-l,3-glucan, a haloacyl halide, an amine, such as a primary or secondary' amine, and a quaternizing agent to produce a cationic a-l,3-glucan. The contacting of the a- 1,3 -glucan, the haloacyl halide, and the amine may include contacting the a-l,3-glucan and the haloacyl halide to produce a haloacylated a-l,3-glucan; and contacting the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan and the amine (or the amine and the quaternizing agent) to produce the cationic a- 1,3 -glucan.

[0006] In another aspect, cationic a-l,3-glucans and compositions that include cationic a-l,3-glucans are provided. The cationic a-l,3-glucans or the compositions that include the cationic a-l,3-glucans may be used as a flocculant or a poly electrolyte.

[0007] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the aspects described herein. The advantages described herein may be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.Detailed Description

[0008] Provided herein are methods for producing cationic polysaccharides, such as cationic a- 1,3 -glucans. The methods generally may include (i) contacting a-l,3-glucan, a haloacyl halide, and an amine, such as a tertiary amine, to produce a cationic a-l,3-glucan; or (ii) contacting a-l,3-glucan, a haloacyl halide, an amine, such as a primary or a secondary amine, and a quatemizing agent to produce a cationic a-l,3-glucan.

[0009] The contacting of the a-l,3-glucan, the haloacyl halide, and the amine (or the amine and the quatemizing agent) may be achieved using any known technique and any known apparatuses. The starting materials also may be contacted in any order or in any manner. Any combination of temperature and pressure may be used to effect any of the chemical reactions among the starting materials, intermediate products, etc.

[0010] The contacting of the a-l,3-glucan, the haloacyl halide, and the amine may include contacting the a-1.3-glucan and the haloacyl halide to produce a haloacylated a-1,3-glucan; and contacting the haloacylated a-1,3-glucan and the amine (or the amine and the quaternizing agent) to produce the cationic a-l,3-glucan.

[0011] The a-l,3-glucan used as a starting material in the methods described herein may be obtained from any source. The a-l,3-glucan may be made according to known methods, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,642,757, U.S. Patent No. 9,139,718, U.S. Patent No. 9,169,506, U.S. Patent No. 10,472,657, and U.S. Patent No. 10,774,352. For example, poly a-l,3-glucan can be enzymatically produced from sucrose using one or more glucosyltransferase (gtf) enzymes (e.g., gtfJ), such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,000,000, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0244288 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0244287.

[0012] Generally, an a-l,3-glucan may be contacted with any amount of a haloacyl halide. Similarly, a haloacylated a-l,3-glucan may be contacted with any amount of an amine (or amine and quaternizing agent). In some embodiments, a mole ratio of the a-1,3-glucan to the haloacyl halide is about 1: 1 to about 1:5, about 1: 1 to about 1:4, about 1: 1 toabout 1:3, about 1:1.5 to about 1:2.5, or about 1:2. When “a mole ratio'’ is defined herein, the mole ratio defines, by mole, the relative amounts of the indicated reagents that are contacted. In some embodiments, a mole ratio of the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan to the amine is about 1: 1 to about 1:0.1, about 1:0.9 to about 1:0.1, about 1:0.8 to about 1:0.2, about 1:0.7 to about 1:0.0.3, about 1:0.6 to about 1:0.4, or about 1:0.5.

[0013] A haloacylated a-l,3-glucan generally may have any degree of substitution, and the degree of substitution may be adjusted in one or more ways, such as by adjusting the mole ratios of reactants. In some embodiments, a degree of substitution (z.e., degree of haloacylation, as determined by13C NMR) of the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan is about 0.1 to about 3, about 0.1 to about 2.5, about 0.1 to about 2, about 0.1 to about 1.5, about 0.5 to about 1.5, about 0.5 to about 1. The phrase "‘degree of substitution”, as used herein, refers to the number of substituents (in this instance, haloacyl groups) per cyclic moiety of the product or intermediate product (in this instance, haloacylated a- 1,3 -glucan), as determined by13C NMR.

[0014] The methods described herein may include forming one or more homogeneous mixtures that include one or more starting materials, one or more products, or a combination thereof. The homogeneous mixtures may include solutions.

[0015] In some embodiments, the methods include contacting the a-l,3-glucan and a first liquid to form a first mixture, which may be a first homogeneous mixture. When a first mixture is formed, the contacting of the a-1,3-glucan and the haloacyl halide may include disposing the haloacyl halide in the first mixture.

[0016] The first liquid of the first mixture may be a solvent in which the a-l,3-glucan, the haloacyl halide, the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan, or a combination thereof is soluble. As used herein, a material is “soluble” in a liquid when the material has a solubility in the liquid of at least 1 g per 100 rnL at room temperature and pressure, or at the temperature and pressure at which a chemical reaction is performed. The first liquid may include any suitable liquid, such as an organic liquid, particularly a polar organic liquid. The polar organic liquid may include dimethylacetamide.

[0017] The first mixture also may include an additive, such as a salt, which may be dissolved in the first liquid. The salt generally may be any salt. In some embodiments, the salt is a lithium salt, which may be a lithium halide, such as LiCl.

[0018] In some embodiments, the methods include isolating the haloacylated a- 1,3-glucan from the first mixture. The isolating of the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan may be achieved using any known technique and any known apparatus. For example, the isolating ofthe haloacylated a- 1,3 -glucan from the first mixture may include precipitating and optionally washing the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan, such as with one or more liquids, such as water or a short chain alcohol (e.g., methanol or ethanol).

[0019] In some embodiments, the methods include disposing the haloacylated a- 1,3-glucan in a second liquid to form a second mixture. The second mixture may be a homogeneous mixture. When a second mixture is formed, the contacting of the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan and the amine (or the amine and the quatemizing agent) may include disposing the amine (or the amine and the quatemizing agent) in the second mixture.

[0020] The second liquid of the second mixture may be a solvent in which the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan, the amine (or the amine and the quaternizing agent), the cationic a-l,3-glucan, or a combination thereof is soluble. Generally, the second liquid may include any suitable liquid. In some embodiments, the second liquid includes an organic liquid, such as a polar organic liquid. The second liquid may include acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, or a combination thereof.

[0021] The methods provided herein, at least in part, may be performed in anhydrous conditions. As used herein, the phrase “anhydrous” refers to the absence of water, or an amount of water that is effective to avoid converting more than 5 mole %, more than 1 mole %, or more than 0.1 mole % of any starting material, intermediate product, product, or a combination thereof to one or more undesired side products.

[0022] The methods provided herein, at least in part, may be performed in conditions effective to prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, hydrolysis of the cationic a-1,3-glucan. Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that a hydrolysis of the cationic a- 1,3-glucan is more likely to occur when the cationic a-l,3-glucan is disposed in water, particularly at a pH of at least 6.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first liquid, the second liquid, or both the first liquid and the second liquid do not include water. In some embodiments, water is present in the first mixture, the second mixture, or the first mixture and the second mixture at an amount that is effective to avoid producing an undesired amount of one or more side products, such as one or more side products resulting from a reaction between water and the haloacyl halide. For example, water may be present in the first mixture and / or the second mixture at an amount not exceeding 5 wt%, 3 wt%, 1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, or 0.1 wt%, based on the weight of the first mixture and / or second mixture, respectively.Haloacyl Halide

[0024] Generally, any haloacyl halide may be used in the methods provided herein.

[0025] In some embodiments, the haloacyl halide includes a compound of the following formula:0x1J-.C ^x2;

[0026] wherein R is a divalent Ci-Ce hydrocarbyl, such as a Ci-Ce alkylene, a Ci-Cs alkydene, a C1-C4 alkydene, a C1-C3 alky lene, a C1-C2 alkylene, or a Ci alkylene; and wherein X1and X2are independently selected from a halogen. X1and X2may be identical or different. In some embodiments, X1and X2are Cl.

[0027] In some embodiments, the haloacyl halide includes a haloacetyl halide. The haloacetyl halide may include chloroacetyl chloride.Amine

[0028] Generally, any amine may be used in the methods described herein. In some embodiments, the amine is a tertiary (3°) amine, a secondary (2°) amine, or a primary (1°) amine. When a secondary or primary amine is used in the methods described herein, a quaternizing agent may be used. The quaternizing agent may include any of those known in the art, such as an alkyl halide.

[0029] In some embodiments, the amine is a compound of the following formula:

[0030] wherein R1, R2, and R3are independently selected from hydrogen or a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl, such as a C1-C5 alkyl, a C1-C4 alkyl, a C1-C3 alkyl, a C1-C2 alkyl, or a Ci alkyl (z.e., methyl). In some embodiments, one, two, or three of R1, R2, and R3is independently-selected from a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl. When a quatemizing agent is used in the methods described herein, the quaternizing agent may be selected from an agent of formula R¹X, R2X, R3X, or a combination thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3are as defined above, and X is a halogen, such as Cl.Cationic a-l,3-glucans

[0031] Also provided herein are cationic a-l,3-glucans, including cationic a-1,3-glucans produced according to the methods provided herein. Compositions that include any of the cationic a-1.3-glucans also are provided. The cationic a-l,3-glucans or thecompositions provided herein may be useful in a number of applications; for example, the cationic a-l,3-glucans and compositions may be useful as flocculants or poly electrolytes.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cationic a-l,3-glucans include a structure of the following formula:

[0033] wherein Ra. Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfare independently selected from hydrogen or a substituent of the following formula -

[0034] wherein R1, R2, and R3are independently selected from a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl, such as a C1-C5 alkyl, a C1-C4 alkyl, a C1-C3 alkyl, a C1-C2 alkyl, or a Ci alkyl (i.e., methyl);

[0035] wherein R is a divalent Ci-Ce hydrocarbyl. such as a C₁-C₆ alkylene, a C₁-C₅ alkylene, a C₁-C₄ alkylene, a C₁-C₃ alkylene, a C₁-C₂ alkylene, or a C₁ alkylene; and

[0036] wherein at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfis not hydrogen.

[0037] In some embodiments, one, two, three, four, five, or six of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfis / are not hydrogen. Therefore, the cationic a-l,3-glucan may have a degree of substitution (as determined by13C NMR) of about 0.1 to about 3, about 0.1 to about 2.5, about 0.1 to about 2, about 0.1 to about 1.5, about 0.5 to about 1.5, about 0.5 to about 1. The phrase “degree of substitution”, in this instance, refers to the number of cationic substituents groups per cyclic moiety of the cationic a-l,3-glucan, as determined by13C NMR.

[0038] The cationic a-l,3-glucans generally may have any molecular weight. The molecular weight may be chosen based on the intended use of the cationic a-l,3-glucan. In some embodiments, the cationic a-l,3-glucan has a molecular weight (weight average molecular weight, Mw) of about 200 g / mol to about 200,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 150,000 g / mol. about 200 g / mol to about 100,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 75,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 50,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 40,000 g / mol, about200 g / mol to about 30,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 20,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 15,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 10,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 5,000 g / mol, or about 200 g / mol to about 1,000 g / mol.

[0039] In some embodiments, the (i) cationic a-l,3-glucans and / or (ii) one or more products produced by a hydrolysis reaction of the cationic a-l,3-glucan are biodegradable. The term “biodegradable” is used herein in a manner that is consistent with its common and ordinary meaning. The cationic a-l,3-glucans may be biodegradable within 10 years, within 5 years, or within 1 year of exposure to an environment in which biodegradation is possible. The cationic a-l,3-glucans may be broken down, via biodegradation or otherwise, into environmentally inert products.

[0040] The phrases “Ci-Cehydrocarbyl.” “Cz-Crhydrocarbyl,” and the like, as used herein, generally refer to aliphatic, aryl, or arylalkyl groups containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or 2 to 4 carbon atoms, respectively, which may be monovalent or multivalent, as noted herein, and including any substituted derivatives thereof Therefore, for example, the alkyl groups noted below may be alkylene groups, the cycloalkyl groups may be cycloalkylene groups, etc.

[0041] Examples of aliphatic groups, in each instance, include, but are not limited to. an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkadienyl group, a cyclic group, and the like, and includes all substituted, unsubstituted, branched, and linear analogs or derivatives thereof, in each instance having 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, 2 to 4 carbon atoms, etc. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, etc. Cycloalkyl moieties may be monocyclic or multi cyclic, and examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, etc. Additional examples of alkyl moieties have linear, branched and / or cyclic portions (e.g., 1-ethyl-4-methyl-cyclohexyl). Representative alkenyl moieties include vinyl, allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl. isobutylenyl. 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-methyl- 1-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1 -hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 1 -heptenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl. 1 -octenyl, 2-octenyl, 3-octenyl, 1-nonenyl, 2-nonenyl, 3-nonenyl, I -decenyl, 2-decenyl and 3-decenyl. Representative alkynyl moieties include acetylenyl, propynyl. 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1 -pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-methyl-l-butynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1 -hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, etc. Examples of aryl or arylalkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, anthracenyl, azulenyl, biphenyl, fluorenyl, indan, indenyl, naphthyl, phenanthrenyl, phenyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene, tolyl, xylyl, mesityl, benzyl, and the like, including any heteroatom substituted derivative thereof.

[0042] Unless otherwise indicated, the term “substituted,"’ when used to describe a chemical structure or moiety, refers to a derivative of that structure or moiety wherein (i) a multi-valent non-carbon atom (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, etc.) is bonded to one or more carbon atoms of the chemical structure or moiety (e.g., a “substituted” C4 hydrocarbyl may include, but is not limited to, diethyl ether moiety, an ethyl acetate moiety, a methoxylmethyl acetate moiety, a methyl propionate moiety, an N,N-dimethylacetamide moiety, a butoxy moiety, etc., and a “substituted” aryl C12 hydrocarbyl may include, but is not limited to, an oxy dibenzene moiety, a benzophenone moiety, etc.) or (ii) one or more of its hydrogen atoms (e.g., chlorobenzene may be characterized generally as an ary l Ce hydrocarbyl “substituted” with a chlorine atom) is substituted with a chemical moiety or functional group such as alcohol, alkoxy, alkanoyloxy, alkoxy carbonyl, alkenyl, alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, t-butyl), alkynyl, alkylcarbonyl oxy (-OC(O)alkyl), amide (-C(O)NH-alkyl- or -alkylNHC(O)alkyl), tertiary amine (such as alkylamino, arylamino,ary lalkylamino), aryl, aryloxy, azo, carbamoy l (-NHC(O)O-alkyl- or -OC(O)NH-alkyl). carbamyl (e.g.. CONH2, as well as CONH-alkyl, CONH-aryl. and CONH-arylalkyl). carboxyl, carboxylic acid, cyano, ester, ether (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy), halo, haloalkyl (e.g., -CCI3, -CF3, -C(CF₃)₃), heteroalkyl, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, nitrile, nitro, oxo, phosphodiester, sulfide, sulfonamide (e.g., SO2NH2), sulfone, sulfonyl (including alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl and arylalkylsulfonyl), sulfoxide, thiol (e.g. sulfhydryl, thioether) or urea (-NHCONH-alkyl-).

[0043] All referenced publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0044] While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of various embodiments, applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the present disclosure may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

[0045] The present disclosure may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of known methods and processes. However, it is contemplated that various embodiments may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the present disclosure should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.

[0046] In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

[0047] In the descriptions provided herein, the terms ‘ ncludes / ’ “is,” “containing,” “having,” and “comprises” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” When materials or methods are claimed or described in terms of “comprising” various steps or components, the materials or methods can also “consist essentially of’ or “consist of’ the various steps or components, unless stated otherwise.

[0048] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include plural alternatives, e.g., at least one. For instance, the disclosure of “an amine”, “a liquid”, and the like, is meant to encompass one, or mixtures or combinations of more than one amine, liquid, and the like, unless otherwise specified.

[0049] When two or more elements, such as two or more substituents, are selected “independently” from a recited listing of options, the two or more substituents may be the same or different; for example, when A and B are selected from hydrogen and a C1-C2 alkyl, (i) A and B may be hydrogen, (ii) A may be hydrogen, and B may be a Ci alkyl, (iii) A may be a Ci alkyl, and B may be a C2 alkyl, etc.

[0050] Various numerical ranges may be disclosed herein. When Applicant discloses or claims a range of any type, Applicant’s intent is to disclose or claim individually each possible number that such a range could reasonably encompass, including end points of the range as well as any sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges encompassed therein, unless otherwise specified. Moreover, all numerical end points of ranges disclosed herein are approximate. As a representative example, Applicant discloses, in some embodiments, a degree of substitution is about 1.5 to about 2.5. This range should be interpreted as encompassing about 1.5 and about 2.5 and further encompasses “about” each of 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4, including any ranges and sub-ranges between any of these values.

[0051] As used herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10 % of the numerical value of the number with which it is being used.LISTING OF EMBODIMENTS

[0052] The following is a non-limiting listing of embodiments of the disclosure.

[0053] Embodiment 1. A method for producing a cationic polysaccharide, the method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of -

[0054] contacting a- 1,3 -glucan, a haloacyl halide, and an amine (e.g., a tertiary amine) to produce a cationic a-l,3-glucan; or

[0055] contacting a-1,3-glucan, a haloacyl halide, an amine (e.g., a primary or secondary amine), and a quaternizing agent to produce a cationic a-l,3-glucan.

[0056] Embodiment 2. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the contacting of the a-l,3-glucan, the haloacyl halide, and the amine comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of-

[0057] contacting the a-l,3-glucan and the haloacyl halide to produce a haloacylated a- 1,3 -glucan; and

[0058] contacting the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan and the amine (or the amine and the quaternizing agent) to produce the cationic a-l,3-glucan.

[0059] Embodiment 3. The method of Embodiment 2, further comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of -

[0060] contacting the a-l,3-glucan and a first liquid to form a first mixture, which may be a first homogeneous mixture; and wherein the contacting of the a-l,3-glucan and the haloacyl halide comprises, consists essentially of. or consists of disposing the haloacyl halide in the first mixture.

[0061] Embodiment 4. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the first liquid is a solvent, and the first mixture is a solution of the a-l,3-glucan.

[0062] Embodiment 5. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the first liquid comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an organic liquid, such as a polar organic liquid.

[0063] Embodiment 6. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the organic liquid comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of dimethylacetamide.

[0064] Embodiment 7. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the first mixture further comprises a salt, such as a lithium salt, which may be a lithium halide, such as LiCl.

[0065] Embodiment 8. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, further comprising isolating the haloacylated a-1.3-glucan from the first mixture.

[0066] Embodiment 9. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the isolating of the haloacylated a-1.3-glucan from the first mixture comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of precipitating and optionally washing the haloacylated a-1,3-glucan, such as with one or more liquids, such as water or a short chain alcohol (e.g., methanol or ethanol).

[0067] Embodiment 10. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, further comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of disposing the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan in a second liquid to form a second mixture, which may be a homogeneous mixture; wherein the contacting of the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan and the amine comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of disposing the amine in the second mixture.

[0068] Embodiment 11. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the second liquid is a solvent in which the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan is soluble.

[0069] Embodiment 12. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the second liquid comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an organic liquid, such as a polar organic liquid.

[0070] Embodiment 13. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the organic liquid comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, or a combination thereof.

[0071] Embodiment 14. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the first liquid and / or the second liquid does not include water.

[0072] Embodiment 15. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein water is present in the first mixture and / or the second mixture at an amount that is effective to avoid producing an undesired amount of one or more side products, such as one or more side products resulting from a reaction between the water and the haloacyl halide; wherein, optionally, water is present in the first mixture and / or the second mixture at an amount not exceeding 5 wt%, 3 wt%, 1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, or 0.1 wt%, based on the weight of the first mixture and / or second mixture, respectively.

[0073] Embodiment 16. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the contacting of the a-l,3-glucan, the haloacyl halide, and the amine are performed in conditions effective to prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, hydrolysis of the cationic a- 1,3-glucan.

[0074] Embodiment 17. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the contacting of the a-l,3-glucan, the haloacyl halide, and the amine are performed in anhydrous conditions.Haloacyl Halide

[0075] Embodiment 18. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the haloacyl halide comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a haloacetyl halide.

[0076] Embodiment 19. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the haloacyl halide comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a compound of the following formula:OX1J.IT X2-

[0077] wherein R is a Ci-Ce hydrocarbyl, such as a Ci-Ce alkylene, a C1-C5 alkylene, a C1-C4 alkylene, a C1-C3 alkylene, a C1-C2 alkylene, or a Ci alkylene; and

[0078] wherein X1and X2are independently selected from a halogen.

[0079] Embodiment 20. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein X1and X2are identical.

[0080] Embodiment 21. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the haloacyl halide comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a chloroacyl chloride.

[0081] Embodiment 22. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the haloacyl halide comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of chloroacetyl chloride. Amine

[0082] Embodiment 23. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the amine is a tertiary (3°) amine, a secondary (2°) amine, or a primary (1°) amine.

[0083] Embodiment 24 The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the amine is a compound of the following formula:

[0084] wherein R1. R2, and R3are independently selected from hydrogen or a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl, such as a C1-C5 alkyl, a C1-C4 alkyl, a C1-C3 alkyl, a C1-C2 alkyl, or a Ci alkyl (z.e., methyl).Characteristics of Product

[0085] Embodiment 25. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the cationic a-l,3-glucan is biodegradable.

[0086] Embodiment 26. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein one or more products produced by a hydrolysis reaction of the cationic a-l,3-glucan are biodegradable.

[0087] Embodiment 27. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein a hydrolysis of the cationic a-l,3-glucan occurs when the cationic a-l,3-glucan is disposed in water, such as at a pH of at least 6.Quaternizing Agent

[0088] Embodiment 28. The method of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the quaternizing agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a hydrocarbyl halide, such as an alkyl halide; optionally, a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl halide, such as a C1-C5 alkyl halide; for example, the quaternizing agent may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an agent of formula R'X. R2X, R3X, or a combination thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3are as defined above, and X is a halogen, such as Cl.

[0089] Embodiment 29. A cationic a-l,3-glucan produced according to the method of any of the preceding Embodiments.

[0090] Embodiment 30. A composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the cationic a-l,3-glucan of Embodiment 29.

[0091] Embodiment 31. The cationic a-l,3-glucan or the composition of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the cationic a-l,3-glucan or the composition is a flocculant or a polyelectrolyte.

[0092] Embodiment 32. The method, the cationic a-1,3-glucan, or the composition of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the cationic a-l,3-glucan comprises a structure of the following formula:

[0093] wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfare independently selected from hydrogen or a substituent of the following formula -

[0094] wherein R1, R2, and R3are independently selected from a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl, such as a C1-C5 alkyl, a C1-C4 alkyl, a C1-C3 alkyl, a C1-C2 alkyl, or a Ci alkyl (i.e., methyl);

[0095] wherein R is a divalent Ci-Ce hydrocarbyl, such as a Ci-Ce alkylene, a C1-C5 alkylene, a C1-C4 alkylene, a C1-C3 alky lene, a C1-C2 alkylene, or a Ci alkylene; and

[0096] wherein at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfis not hydrogen.

[0097] Embodiment 33. The method, the cationic a-l,3-glucan, or the composition of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein one, two, three, four, five, or six of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfis / are not hydrogen.

[0098] Embodiment 34. The method, the cationic a-l,3-glucan, or the composition of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the cationic a-l,3-glucan has a degree of substitution (i.e., number of cationic substituents per cyclic moiety of the cationic a-1,3-glucan) of about 0.1 to about 3, about 0.1 to about 2.5, about 0.1 to about 2, about 0.1 to about 1.5, about 0.5 to about 1.5, about 0.5 to about 1.

[0099] Embodiment 35. The method, the cationic a-l,3-glucan, or the composition of any of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the cationic a-l,3-glucan has a molecular weight (weight average molecular weight, Mw) of about 200 g / mol to about 200,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 150,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 100,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 75,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 50,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 40,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 30,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 20,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 15,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 10,000 g / mol, about 200 g / mol to about 5,000 g / mol, or about 200 g / mol to about 1,000 g / mol.

Claims

Claims -1. A method for producing a cationic polysaccharide, the method comprising:contacting a-l,3-glucan and a haloacyl halide to produce a haloacylated a-1,3- glucan; andcontacting the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan and an amine to produce a cationic a- 1,3 -glucan.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:contacting the a-l,3-glucan and a first liquid to form a first mixture; wherein the contacting of the a-l,3-glucan and the haloacyl halide comprises disposing the haloacyl halide in the first mixture.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first liquid is a solvent in which the a-l,3-glucan is soluble, and the first mixture is a first homogeneous mixture.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first liquid comprises a polar organic liquid.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the polar organic liquid comprises dimethylacetamide.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first mixture further comprises a salt.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the salt comprises a lithium halide.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:disposing the haloacylated a- 1,3 -glucan in a second liquid to form a second mixture;wherein the contacting of the haloacylated a-l,3-glucan and the amine comprises disposing the amine in the second mixture.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second liquid is a solvent in which the haloacylated a-1.3-glucan is soluble, and the second mixture is a homogeneous mixture.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second liquid comprises a polar organic liquid.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting of the a-l,3-glucan, the haloacyl halide, and the amine are performed in anhydrous conditions.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the haloacyl halide comprises chloroacetyl chloride.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the haloacyl halide comprises a compound of the following formula:wherein R is a divalent Ci-Ce hydrocarbyl; andwherein X1and X2are independently selected from a halogen.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the haloacylated α-1,3-glucan and a quaternizing agent.

15. A cationic a-l,3-glucan comprising a structure of the following formula:wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfare independently selected from hydrogen or a substituent of the following formula -wherein R1, R2, and R3are independently selected from a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl; wherein R is a divalent Ci-Ce hydrocarbyl: andwherein at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rfis not hydrogen.

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