Charles R. Fordyce

Cellulose Esters of Organic Acids

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cellulose esters of organic acids. Cellulose formate, the ester of the lowest member of the fatty acid series, shows that it is unlikely to be of commercial importance. It is difficult to produce a high degree of esterification of cellulose with this acid, and the ester that is obtained is very limited in solubility and is highly unstable toward moisture and elevated temperatures. Esters of acids that have higher molecular weights than acetic acid change rapidly in physical properties as the molecular weight of the acid becomes greater. Cellulose acetate propionates and acetate butyrates become commercially prominent, particularly in the fields of photographic films, plastics, and lacquers.