Emerging Innovations in Polysaccharide Chemistry: Novel Synthesis Concepts and Tailored Biopolymer Derivatives

Dear Colleagues,

Polysaccharides are among the most versatile and sustainable classes of biopolymers, offering a rich platform for the design of advanced functional materials. Their full potential as renewable bioresources can be unlocked through chemical derivatization, which enables precise control over structure and functionality.

In this Special Issue, “Emerging Innovations in Polysaccharide Chemistry: Novel Synthesis Concepts and Tailored Biopolymer Derivatives”, we aim to highlight recent progress in chemical modification strategies and the synthesis of highly functional polysaccharide derivatives. We invite contributions that explore novel reaction concepts, including the use of unique starting polysaccharides, click-chemistry-based transformations, catalytic and green chemistry approaches, unconventional homogeneous or heterogeneous reaction media, and regio- or chemoselective conversions.

Studies focused on the rational tailoring of functional properties and structure–property relationships and the development of innovative derivatization methodologies are particularly encouraged. A strong emphasis is placed on comprehensive structural elucidation and spectroscopic characterization (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and advanced 2D NMR techniques) as essential tools for understanding derivatization mechanisms and material performance.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research papers, short communications, and critical reviews that advance the fundamental and applied chemistry of polysaccharides and contribute to the development of next-generation bio-based materials.

Dr. Martin Gericke
Dr. Serena Traboni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polysaccharides is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.