Abstract: A process for preparing a carboxylated cellulose ester from oxidized cellulose is described. The carboxylated cellulose esters have improved solvent solubility and coating resin compatibility when compared to cellulose esters made from regular grade cellulose. The process comprises activating the oxidized cellulose with water. The activated oxidized cellulose is then dehydrated by displacing the water with acetic acid and optionally displacing at least some of the acetic acid with butyric acid or propionic acid. After dehydration the activated cellulose is reacted with an esterifying reagent in the presence of a catalyst at about 0.degree. C. The temperature is gradually increased to a level sufficient to complete reaction and to obtain an intrinsic viscosity ranging from about 0.2 to about 1.6 dl/g. The reacted solution is then hydrolyzed to obtain a hydroxyl content ranging from about 0.05 to about 1.0.