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.

Abstract: This invention is based on the discovery that certain cellulose acetoacetate mixed esters will remain insoluble in mild (near-neutral) or acidic aqueous solutions, but dissolve under alkaline conditions. The esters are particularly useful as coatings for controlled-release applications. Coatings comprising these esters will dissolve to release a coated active agent under alkaline conditions, the exact pH at which dissolution occurs being adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a substituted cellulose acetoacetate alkanoate without using a carboxamide/lithium chloride solvent system. The process involves contacting cellulose in a carboxylic acid diluent with an acetylating compound selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid anhydride and an acid chloride, an acetoacetylating compound selected from the group consisting of diketene, an alkyl acetoacetate and 2,2,6-trimethyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-one, and a mineral acid catalyst under conditions and in a molar ratio sufficient to cause the cellulose, acetylating compound and acetoacetylating compound to react to produce a substituted cellulose acetoacetate alkanoate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cellulosic material and a process for preparing the same. The cellulosic material is a carboxylated cellulose ester material having an acid number of at least about 5, an inherent viscosity of from about 0.01 to about 1.00 and wherein the anhydroglucose units thereof have ring substituents comprising by weight based on total polymer weight, of from about 0.05 to about 20% hydroxyl groups, from about 0.5 to about 44% acetyl groups, from 0 to about 54% butyryl groups, from 0 to about 47% propionyl groups, from about 0.4 to about 4.0% total carboxyl groups wherein from about 20% to about 100% of these carboxyl groups are non-saponifiable backbone, and wherein the material has a lactone level of from about 4.52.times.10.sup.-5 to about 6.13.times.10.sup.-4. The carboxylated cellulose esters of the present invention are prepared by reacting a cellulose ester with ozone at a temperature of about 25.degree. to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing lower fatty acid esters of cellulose which comprises esterifying at a temperature of between about 75.degree. C. and about 110.degree. C. a cellulose compound having esterifiable hydroxyl groups with an esterifying bath comprising an organic acid anhydride, a diluent, and a catalyst comprising from 0.2 to 2.0 parts phosphoric acid, from 0.1 to 1.2 parts sulfuric acid, and from 0.05 to 0.6 parts of a hindered aliphatic alcohol by weight per 100 parts of the cellulose to be esterified.

Abstract: Improved method for preparing cellulose acetate powder, particularly extrusion-grade powder, by direct precipitation, with the precipitation step occurring at a temperature of about 65.degree. C. to about 95.degree. C. and with the coagulating agent subsequently being removed from the resulting liquid powder slurry also at a temperature of about 65.degree. C. to about 95.degree. C.; and the cellulose acetate powder product resulting from the improved method, the powder being particularly adapted to take up plasticizer up to about 50 percent by weight and still flow uniformly without caking or becoming tacky.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a new thermal stabilizer system for cellulose esters and their commercially useful formulated compositions which can be molded, shaped and otherwise processed in a thermoplastic condition at elevated temperatures to provide products having (1) better molecular weight retention and (2) less discoloration after thermal processing when compared to similar cellulose ester compositions containing prior art stabilizers.