Novel regioselective, homo-(4-6) and heterogeneous (7-10) dendronized cellulose derivatives have been prepared by the reaction of cellulose in a NN-dimethylacetamide (DMAc)/LiCl solvent system with diverse dendrons (1-3) possessing an isocyanate focal group. The dendronized cellulose derivatives were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), C-13 NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). These polyfunctionally coated cellulose-based materials showed diverse solubility characteristics in organic solvents ranging from DMAc to methyl alcohol. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.