Microstructural order in the developing cotton fiber based on availabilities of hydroxyl groups

The relative availabilities of accessible O(2)H, O(3)H, and O(6)H in the cellulose of developing cotton fibers were measured by conducting a reaction to a low degree of substitution under mild conditions in an aqueous medium. Raw cotton fibers from unopened bolls and from mature, opened bolls were studied. Correction was made for the presence of a β‐1,3‐glucan that was detected by substitution at the abundant O(4)H of this polysaccharide. The order of decreasing availability of hydroxyl groups of cellulose was O(2)H > O(6)H > > O(3)H. Results indicate that cellulose in the secondary wall of the cotton fiber is laid down with a high degree of order and that this order decreases with opening of the boll.