Abstract: A process for producing a water-soluble cellulose derivative of a reduced content of water-insoluble particles comprises the steps of a) reacting cellulose with an alkaline material to produce alkali cellulose, b) reacting the produced alkali cellulose with one or more derivatizing agents to produce a water-soluble cellulose derivative, c) washing the produced cellulose derivative with an aqueous liquid once or several times to provide a moist cellulose derivative having a water content of 25 to 85 percent, based on the total weight of the moist cellulose derivative, d) subjecting the moist cellulose derivative to homogenization to form the moist cellulose derivative to a paste, and e) pressing the paste through a filter of a pore size of up to 200 ?m.

Abstract: A process for producing an esterified cellulose ether can be efficiently be produced by reacting a moist cellulose ether having a water content of at least 10 percent, based on the weight of the moist cellulose ether, with an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride, a dicarboxylic acid anhydride or a combination thereof. Further improvements in efficiency and reduction in process steps are achieved in a process for producing an esterified cellulose ether which comprises the steps of a) reacting cellulose with an alkaline material to produce alkali cellulose, b) reacting the produced alkali cellulose with one or more etherifying agents and washing the produced cellulose ether to obtain a moist cellulose ether having a water content of at least 10 weight percent, and c) reacting the moist cellulose ether with an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and/or a dicarboxylic acid anhydride and with a depolymerizing agent.

Abstract: A process for producing a cellulose ether acetate succinate comprises the step of reacting a cellulose ether with acetic anhydride, succinic anhydride and an depolymerizing agent, wherein the cellulose ether has an initial viscosity of at least 50 mPa-s, measured as a 2 weight-% solution in water at 20° C., and the reaction of the cellulose ether with acetic anhydride, succinic anhydride and the depolymerizing agent is conducted simultaneously or in sequence in one reaction device.

Abstract: A process for producing an esterified cellulose ether comprises the step of reacting a cellulose ether with an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and/or a dicarboxylic acid anhydride and with a depolymerizing agent, wherein the cellulose ether has an initial viscosity of at least 500 mPa·s, measured as a 2 weight-% solution in water at 20° C., and the reaction of the cellulose ether with the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and/or the dicarboxylic acid anhydride and with the depolymerizing agent is conducted simultaneously or in sequence in one reaction device.

Abstract: A liquid composition comprises an organic diluent and at least one cellulose ether having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages and having methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl as substituents such that hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.29 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group. The liquid composition can be used for preparing a solid dispersion of an active ingredient in a cellulose ether.

Abstract: A partially cross-linked esterified cellulose ether having A) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, and B) having a molecular weight distribution such that [Wf(>100 k)?Wf(>100 k)XL]/Wf(>100 k)XL is at least 0.20, wherein Wf(>100 k) is the total weight fraction of the esterified cellulose ether that exceeds 100,000 g/mol, and Wf(>100 k)XL is the weight fraction that exceeds 100,000 g/mol of the methylated esterified cellulose ether is useful as enteric polymer for pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which have i) as ester groups aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, and ii) a content of not more than 0.85 weight percent acetone-insoluble esterified cellulose ether particles, when the esterified cellulose ether is present in a mixture of 12.5 weight parts of esterified cellulose ether and 87.5 weight parts of acetone at 21° C., the weight percent acetone-insoluble esterified cellulose ether particles being based on the total weight of the esterified cellulose ether, wherein iii) not more than 14 percent of the acetone-insoluble esterified cellulose ether particles have a particle size of more than 90 micrometers.

Abstract: A sustained release dosage form comprises an active ingredient blended with a polymeric matrix. At least a portion of the polymeric matrix is formed by a cellulose ether having an onset dissolution temperature of at least 40° C., having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages and having methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl as substituents such that the cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 1.00, and hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.31 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group.

Abstract: An esterified cellulose ether which comprises (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, and which has a) a viscosity of from 1.2 to 1.8 mPaos, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., or b) a viscosity of up to 5 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., or c) a combination of the viscosities of a) and b), is useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: A process for recovering an esterified cellulose ether from a reaction product mixture obtained from a reaction of (a) a cellulose ether with (b) an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride or a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride or a combination of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride, comprises the steps of (i) contacting the reaction product mixture with an aqueous liquid to precipitate the esterified cellulose ether from the reaction product mixture, (ii) isolating the precipitated esterified cellulose ether from the mixture obtained in step (i), and (iii) suspending the isolated esterified cellulose ether in an aqueous liquid to provide a suspension having a temperature of at least 28° C., and (iv) recovering the esterified cellulose ether from the suspension of step (iii).

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which have i) as ester groups aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula ——C(O)—R—COOA wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, ii) a weight average molecular weight Mw of from 80,000 Dalton to 220,000 Dalton, iii) a Polydispersity Mw/Mn of from 1.3 to 4.0, and iv) an Mz/Mn of not more than 18.5, when the weight average molecular weight Mw, the number average molecular weight Mn and the z-average molecular weight Mz are measured by SEC-MALLS using as mobile phase a mixture produced from 40 parts by volume of acetonitrile and 60 parts by volume of aqueous buffer containing 50 mM NaH2—PO4 and 0.1 M NaNO3. are useful as enteric polymers for pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, which have a viscosity of up to 2.33 mPa·s, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., and which have a viscosity of up to 13 mPao·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C. are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: A reaction product mixture is obtained from a reaction of (a) a cellulose ether with (b) an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride or with a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride or with a combination of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of (c) an aliphatic carboxylic acid. A process for precipitating an esterified cellulose ether from this reaction product mixture comprises the step of contacting the reaction product mixture with water and subjecting the combination of water and the reaction product mixture to a shear rate of at least 800 s?1. The precipitated esterified cellulose ether can be recovered as a non-tacky product.

Abstract: A process for recovering an esterified cellulose ether from a reaction product mixture obtained from a reaction of (a) a cellulose ether with (b) an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride or a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride or a combination of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid anhydride and a di- or tricarboxylic acid anhydride, comprises the steps of (i) contacting the reaction product mixture with an aqueous liquid to precipitate the esterified cellulose ether from the reaction product mixture, (ii) isolating the precipitated esterified cellulose ether from the mixture obtained in step (i), and (iii) suspending the isolated esterified cellulose ether in an aqueous liquid to provide a suspension having a temperature of at least 28° C., and (iv) recovering the esterified cellulose ether from the suspension of step (iii).

Abstract: A melt-extruded polymer composition comprising a) at least one cellulose ether, b) one or more active ingredients and c) one or more optional additives, wherein said at least one cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 0.55 and hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.32 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxyl groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with a methyl group.

Abstract: An esterified cellulose ether comprises (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein the cellulose ether has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages and has methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl as substituents such that the esterified cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 1.00, and hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.

Abstract: An esterified cellulose ether which comprises (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, and which has a) a viscosity of from 1.2 to 1.8 mPaos, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., or b) a viscosity of up to 5 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., or c) a combination of the viscosities of a) and b), is useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, which have a viscosity of up to 2.33 mPa·s, measured as a 2.0 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in 0.43 wt % aqueous NaOH at 20° C., and which have a viscosity of up to 13 mPao·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C. are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or (ii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, which have a viscosity of up 50 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., and a weight average molecular weight Mw of at least 220,000 Dalton, or which have a viscosity of up 100 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., and a weight average molecular weight Mw of at least 310,000 Dalton are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.

Abstract: Esterified cellulose ethers which comprise (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, which have a viscosity of up 19 mPa·s, measured as a 10 wt % solution of the esterified cellulose ether in acetone at 20° C., and which have a weight average molecular weight Mw of at least 90,000 Dalton, are useful for preparing solid dispersions comprising drugs.