Published spectroscopic observations pertaining to the crystal structure of native celluloses are reviewed for the purpose of defining our current level of understanding about crystalline polymorphism in these materials. Emphasis is placed on 13 Ε½ . observations from solid state C nuclear magnetic resonance NMR , which first led to the postulate that most native, semicrystalline celluloses are composites of two crystalline allomorphs, labeled I and I . Historical background is a b presented, highlighting the structural controversies which mainly arose because different native celluloses were used, each Ε½ . one representing a different mixture of allomorphs. Input from Raman, infrared IR and electron diffraction data is included in the discussion of our current understanding of polymorphism in native celluloses. Also noted is the input from more Ε½ . recently studied celluloses e.g., Halocynthia as well as from newer processes that convert the I to the I form. On the a b basis of Raman and IR observations, it is argued that the I and I allomorphs differ in hydrogen bonding patterns only and a b
that backbone conformations are nearly identical. Also, the point is made that the absence of correlation field splittings in the Ε½ . Raman spectra calls into question although it does not disprove whether the normal two-chain-per-unit-cell, monoclinic I b allomorph really possesses two equivalent chains. Considerable discussion is devoted to the allomorphic composition of cellulose crystallites in higher plants. Published methods of NMR lineshape analysis for the higher plant celluloses are reviewed and critiqued, both from the point of view of lineshape theory and from the point of view of self-consistency of Ε½ . inferences that are based on lineshape analyses for different carbons particularly C1 and C4 . It is concluded that higher plant celluloses most likely possess a minor amount of the I allomorph where the I rI ratio is probably less than 0.25. a a b