  We consider special classes of Palatini f(R) theories, featured by additional
Loop Quantum Gravity inspired terms, with the aim of identifying a set of
modified Ashtekar canonical variables, which still preserve the SU(2) gauge
structure of the standard theory. In particular, we allow for affine connection
to be endowed with torsion, which turns out to depend on the additional scalar
degree affecting Palatini f(R) gravity, and in this respect we successfully
construct a novel Gauss constraint. We analyze the role of the additional
scalar field, outlining as it acquires a dynamical character by virtue of a non
vanishing Immirzi parameter, and we describe some possible effects on the area
operator stemming from such a revised theoretical framework. Finally, we
compare our results with earlier studies in literature, discussing differences
between metric and Palatini approaches. It is worth noting how the Hamiltonian
turns out to be different in the two cases. The results can be reconciled when
the analysis is performed in the Einstein frame.
