The following is a condensed version of the actions that were completed during the stage 1 implementation period:

• Four types of cellulose were chemically functionalized by means of selective oxidation reactions: microcrystalline cellulose, α-cellulose, cotton linters, and viscose, using the "one-pot" oxidation process, which involves the simultaneous use of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), sodium bromide (NaBr), and sodium periodate (NaIO4). The oxidized form of cellulose(Ox-C), will serve as the foundation (the essential component) upon which injectable hydrogels will be built. After going through the oxidation process, we were able to extract tricarboxylated cellulose fractions, which are soluble in water.
• Hydroxypropylcellulose (Ox-HPC) was chemically functionalized by oxidation processes, with sodium hypochlorite serving as the oxidizing agent. Sodium hypochlorite is a common chemical agent that is not only affordable but also safe for the environment. After the oxidation procedure, ketone groups were incorporated into the structure of the hydroxypropylcellulose, and the resulting samples of oxidized hydroxypropylcellulose had varying degrees of substitution.
• Materials that have been chemically functionalized provide a significant number of functional groups (carboxylic, aldehydic, and ketone) that are able to operate as active sites in future transformations.
• The "project execution plan" was successful in every way, as measured by the following indicators: 1 paper that was accepted for publication, participation in scientific meetings (including 2 oral communication and 2 poster presentations), and the establishment of a website for the project.

Summary of progress (achieved deliverables, result indicators, dissemination of results):

• Scientific papers published:

1. G. Biliuta, R.I. Baron, S. Coseri, Pullulan Oxidation in the Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide and N-Hydroxyphthalimide, Materials 2022, 15(17), 6086; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15176086.

• Participation in scientific events:

1. G. Biliuta, R.I. Baron, S. Coseri, A green and facile method to oxidize pullulan by using hydrogen peroxide as an environmentally friendly oxidant and nhydroxyphthalimide as a catalyst, A XXXVI-a Conferinţă naţională de chimie – CNChim–2022 Călimăneşti – Căciulata, România.
2. R.I. Baron, G. Biliuta, S. Coseri, Preparation and characterization of magnetic hydrogels based on tricarboxy cellulose, A XXXVI-a Conferinţă naţională de chimie – CNChim–2022 Călimăneşti – Căciulata, România.
3. G. Biliuta, R.I. Baron, S. Coseri, A green and facile method to oxidize polysaccharides by using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and N-hydroxyphthalimide as a catalyst, International Chemical Engineering and Material Symposium, SICHEM 2022, 17-18 November 2022, București, România.
4. I.A. Duceac, R.I. Baron, G. Biliuta, S. Coseri, Studies on hydrogels based on periodate-oxidized pullulan for potential biomedical applications, ICMPP – Open door to the future, Scientific communications of young researchers, MacroYouth 2022, 3rd Edition, Iași, November 18, 2022.