Variation of the alkalisation conditions during the synthesis of a cellulose ether

• We show the effect of simultaneous variation of i) the NaOH/AGU (anhydroglucose unit) stoichiometric ratio (r), ii) added [NaOH], and iii) mercerization time, on the degree of cellulose substitution (DS), and by-product formation including proportions of insoluble particles and unreacted chemicals, in the synthesis of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), under conditions resembling those often used for production of non-ionic cellulose ethers and without the use of alcohols. The DS was found to increase when (r) was increased (range 1.0-1.3) and added [NaOH] was decreased (range 50-30%). However, such changes also favoured the formation of unwanted by-products. Decreased (r) and increased [NaOH] resulted in increased the quantities of insoluble particles and unreacted chemicals. In the CMC samples, DS of 0.18-0.7 was obtained. The measured solubility (46%-86%) was lower than expected for a given DS. This, along with a deviation of the substituent distribution from the statistical calculations, indicated a high heterogeneity in the samples. The substitution at hydroxyl positions within the AGU shows the order of < ≈ , and that substitution increases with (r). The relative importance of substitution at increases with an increased [NaOH].

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Polymerkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Polymer Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Mercerisation

Alkalinisation

Cellulose Ethers

Carboxymethylcellulose

Sodium glycolate

Sodium diglycolate

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)