Modified spruce O-acetyl galactoglucomannans (GGMs) can be used as molecular anchors to alter the surface properties or to activate the surface of cellulose. To selectively introduce functionalities, GGMs were oxidized on C-6 of hexoses by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl-mediated oxidation. Different degrees of oxidation were successfully obtained by varying the reaction parameters. Low degrees could be obtained by performing the oxidations in bromide-free conditions. The formed uronic acids were further modified by a carbodiimide-mediated amidation reaction, which opens a window for introducing various functionalities selectively on hexoses. The adsorption of the modified GGMs to various cellulose samples was investigated. Indirect bulk sorption to fibers was compared to direct adsorption to nanofibrillated cellulose ultrathin films. GGMs with low degrees of oxidation showed high affinity to cellulose surfaces and could be sorbed onto cellulose in pure water. Moderate amounts of GGMs with high degree of oxidation could be sorbed onto cellulose in the presence of salts. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3122-3129, 2013