Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Specific modification of the reducing end group of dextran has been achieved using the reductive amination procedure and solvent systems designed to optimize polymer reactivity. Dextran fraction (with <jats:styled-content><jats:italic>M</jats:italic></jats:styled-content><jats:sub>w</jats:sub> ranging from 10,000 to 500,000 daltons) were derivatized with [<jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C]‐octadecylamine in yields of up to 60% to afford the corresponding alkyl dextrans which are of interest as affinity ligands. Reactive dextran intermediates with terminal amine, carboxyl, and aldehyde functions were prepared using sodium cyanoborohydride and ammonium acetate, glycine, and glucosamine, respectively. The dextran glucosamine derivative was further modified by reductive amination with octadecylamine. Similarly, condensation of dextran with streptomycin produced a new type of cationic derivative bearing a terminal, branched saccharide residue. Other reducing‐end modifications included nitroxide‐spin labelling, covalent attachment to aminopropyl‐activated glass beads, and a carbodiimide‐mediated amidation of carboxyl—dextran. The reductive amination method was also applied to guar gum and locust bean gum.</jats:p>