Abstract: In the preparation of etherified polysaccharides, the inclusion of a polyhalo methane or an alkylene dihalide in the etherification reaction mixture yields a water-soluble, cross-linked product which exhibits increased viscosities in aqueous solution. For example, the admixture of a cellulose, e.g., cotton linter; an alkali metal hydroxide; etherifying agents such as methyl chloride or propylene oxide; and 1,2-dichloroethane in a reaction diluent such as toluene can be heated to form a water-soluble, cross-linked hydroxypropyl methylcellulose exhibiting increased solution viscosities.

Abstract: In the method of making low molecular weight cellulose ethers and esters by contacting such ethers or esters of higher molecular weight with HCl or other hydrogen halide gas, yellowing of the depolymerized or degraded product is inhibited by treating the dry material with SO.sub.2 at about ambient temperature. Residual acid in the product can be neutralized conveniently by treatment with a weak base such as ammonia or sodium bicarbonate. The low molecular weight-low viscosity product is useful in detergent compositions and in coatings for medical pills and capsules.

Abstract: Capsule shells for pharmaceutical use are presently made from gelatin. Use of water-soluble starch ethers instead of gelatin facilitates the production of the shells and produces improved shells. Preferred material is 2-hydroxypropyl starch made from high-amylose starch and having about 0.3 to 2.5 hydroxypropyl groups per glucose unit of the starch.