Phosphorylation of chitosan (chitin) surface with PCl₃

Abstract

The synthesis and antimicrobial activity of copper chitosan phosphates complexes are presented. Chitosan (Cts) surface phosphorylations were achieved by its exposure to phosphorus trichloride (PCl₃) vapors. The formed chitosan-dichlorophosphines (Cts-[Y-PCl₂]_z; Y = N,O; z ≤ 3) were hydrolyzed to chitosan-hydrogenphosphates (Cts-[Y-P(O)(H)(OH)]_z), the chemo-physical and biological properties of which were analyzed. The performed antimicrobial tests of the synthesized Cts-[Y-P(O)(H)(OH)]_z×Cu²⁺ against representative Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) revealed their potential applications as an antibacterial material.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Chitosan
• phosphorylation
• chitosan-hydrogenphosphates(III)
• chitin-hydrogenphosphates(III)
• copper complexes
• antibacterial activity
• polymer functionalization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.