Abstract: Unpurified 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol is used as the starting material for a process for the preparation of 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane from 2-nitro-1,3-propanediol without the use of an organic solvent on an industrial scale. This is carried out in such a way that in a first stage a mixture of bromine and aqueous hydrogen bromide solution is cooled and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or an alkaline-earth metal salt of 2-nitro-1,3-propanediol is added at such a rate that, with cooling, the maximum reaction temperature does not exceed 30.degree. C., and then in a second reaction stage paraformaldehyde and sulfuric acid are added, left to react above room temperature, and the organic phase separated.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of alkali cellulose. More particularly, this invention is directed to a process for the preparation of alkali cellulose having a low water content, wherein finely divided cellulose suspended in a typical inert organic solvent is presteeped and the cellulose suspension is contacted with an alkali metal hydroxide/alcohol mixture and at least one aqueous alkalization solution of different concentration.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for preparing cellulose derivatives by alkalizing cellulose to form alkali cellulose, alkylating the alkali cellulose to form alkylated alkali cellulose, and recovering the alkylated alkali cellulose. According to the process of the invention, finely-divided, preferably powdered, cellulose is reacted with an aqueous-alcoholic alkali metal hydroxide solution at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to 120.degree. C., to form alkali cellulose, oxygen is removed, and the water content is reduced to from about 2.5 to 6.0 moles per anhydroglucose unit, prior to alkylization.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for the continuous production of alkyl cellulose by reacting alkali cellulose with alkylating agents in the presence of inert liquids, wherein:(a) powdered cellulose is reacted with aqueous-alcoholic alkali metal hydroxide solution at temperatures of from about 20.degree. to 80.degree. C. to form alkali cellulose;(b) oxygen is completely removed from the alkali cellulose reaction mixture of step (a) and the water content is reduced to about 2.5 to 6.0 moles per anhydroglucose unit; and(c) the reaction mixture from step (b) is reacted with at least a stoichiometric amount, but not more than with a molar excess of up to about 50%, based on the alkali metal hydroxide, of an alkylating agent in an inert liquid boiling at a temperature of from about 80.degree. to 160.degree. C., the reaction being carried out continuously in stirred tanks-in-series with 2 to 10 units.