3781. Ethyl Cellulose

Nomenclature

CAS number: 9004-57-3
Cellulose ethyl ether; Ethocel.

Description and references

Prepd from wood pulp or chemical cotton by treatment with alkali and ethylation of the alkali cellulose with ethyl chloride. Review and bibliography: E. Ott, Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives (New York, 2nd ed., 1955).

Properties

White granules. Soly is dependent upon the degree of substitution. Commercial ethyl cellulose has an ethoxy content of 43-50%. A 47% product softens at 140° and is sol in ethyl acetate, ethylene dichloride, benzene, toluene, xylene, butyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethanol, butanol, carbon tetrachloride. To avoid brittleness, ethyl cellulose formulations usually include an antioxidant such as hydroquinone monobenzyl ether, 4-hexylpyrocatechol, or diphenylamine.

Use

In the manuf of plastics and lacquers. Pharmaceutic aid (tablet binder).