Abstract: | Starch maleate was prepared by microwave‐assisted reactions. Microwave‐assisted esterification in a dry medium for 5 min gives a reaction efficiency of 98%. Influences of reaction time, reagent molar ratio and water content of starch on the degree of substitution (DS) of the product and reaction efficiency were investigated. The structure of starch maleate was characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Changes in the starch granules before and after modification were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compared with the conventional heating synthesis method, microwave‐assisted synthesis in a dry medium is rapid and energy saving with high reaction efficiency. |