Abstract: Carbohydrates having functional groups, such as carboxylic acid groups and methods of making such carbohydrates.

Abstract: The starting pyroxylin is subjected to an acetylation reaction while it is dispersed in a dispersion medium such as toluene and kept in a solid phase state, and acetylated pyroxylin is then separated from a reaction solution by means of filtration, so that an extra portion of anhydrous acetic acid taking no part in the reaction can be immediately recovered. This dispenses with the precipitation process required for a prior art solution reaction, and so eliminates an unstable quality factor due to product particle size variations. In addition, the process of washing the post-reaction crude acetylated pyroxylin is designed to include a washing step at a high temperature of 60° C. to 105° C. and a washing step using a stabilizer-containing washing agent, so that acetylated pyroxylin having improved heat resistance and stability can be provided.

Abstract: The starting pyroxylin is subjected to an acetylation reaction while it is dispersed in a dispersion medium such as toluene and kept in a solid phase state, and acetylated pyroxylin is then separated from a reaction solution by means of filtration, so that an extra portion of anhydrous acetic acid taking no part in the reaction can be immediately recovered. This dispenses with the precipitation process required for a prior art solution reaction, and so eliminates an unstable quality factor due to product particle size variations. In addition, the process of washing the post-reaction crude acetylated pyroxylin is designed to include a washing step at a high temperature of 60 to 105° C. and a washing step using a stabilizer-containing washing agent, so that acetylated pyroxylin having improved heat resistance and stability can be provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing acetylated pyroxylin with safety yet at low cost, using inexpensive water-wetted pyroxylin rather than expensive alcohol-wetted pyroxylin. The acetylated pyroxylin is produced by dehydrating the water-wetted pyroxylin in the presence of a nonalcoholic non-solvent for pyroxylin, and then permitting an acetylating agent to act on the dehydrated pyroxylin. According to the first dehydration process, the water-wetted pyroxylin is dispersed in a dispersing medium comprising a nonalcoholic non-solvent for pyroxylin, and then dehydrated by distillation. According to the second dehydration process, a replacing agent comprising a nonalcoholic non-solvent for pyroxylin is added to the water-wetted pyroxylin, and the wetted pyroxylin is then dehydrated by filtration. With either one of these processes, the water-wetted pyroxylin can be dehydrated with safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic materials based on polysaccharide ethers which are simultaneously substituted by carboxylic acid ester groups and carbamate groups, together with mixtures of such derivatives with low molecular weight aliphatic urea derivatives.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for producing cellulose carbamate with improved solubility properties comprising converting cellulose with urea in an inert, liquid, organic reaction carrier, at reaction temperature in the range of 80.degree. to 180.degree. C. where the reaction temperature is increased as the reaction time increases.

Abstract: This invention provides certain carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) esters of higher acids (e.g., CMC acetate propionate, CMC propionate, CMC acetate butyrate, and CMC butyrate). These new ether derivatives of cellulose esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents, compatibility with a variety of resins, and ease of dispersion in a water-borne formulation and are useful in coating compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.

Abstract: The invention is related to highly substituted, water-insoluble, poorly water-permeable fatty acid esters of polysaccharides and compositions comprising said polysaccharides esters suitable for use in hot-melt adhesives and as coatings for the controlled release of active ingredients, especially fertilizers. A convenient method for preparing said polysacharide esters using e.g. dimethylformamide as a solvent is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to free-flowing, quick-dissolving lacquer binder granules based on cellulose esters, more particularly cellulose nitrates, and to a process for their production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of nitrocellulose having particular properties by compression by means of contrarotating rollers.

Abstract: A process for the production of cellulose carbamate from cellulose and urea through the conversion of the cellulose with excess urea in an inert liquid organic reaction carrier at a temperature in the range of 130 .degree. to 160.degree. C., separation of the reaction carrier from the reaction mixture and washing of the reaction mixture with water. The cellulose is intimately mixed with an aqueous urea solution. Then the water in the solution is replaced with the organic reaction carrier, and the reaction of urea and cellulose is carried out in the presence of an inert gaseous carrier to remove the by-product ammonia. Thereafter, the organic reaction carrier remaining in the reaction product is replaced with an aqueous urea solution and the resulting suspension of cellulose carbamate in the urea solution is filtered and washed free of urea with water. No liquid ammonia is required in this process.

Abstract: Fibrous water-wet nitrocellulose containing 4.5 to 5.5% moisture sprayed with a solvent/cosolvent mixture converts to spheroid, densified nitrocellulose via bilateral agitation. A free-flowing dust-free product having a lower burn rate is produced which dissolves more rapidly for lacquer production. A preferred apparatus is an orbital shaker and a preferred solvent/cosolvent is isopropyl acetate/isopropyl alcohol.

Abstract: This invention is an improved process of making azidodeoxycellulose a hig energetic ingredient for use in a propellant. The process is accomplished by nitrating cellulose to nitrocellulose, converting the nitrocellulose in sequence to the iodine derivative, and finally reacting the iodine derivative of cellulose with sodium azide to produce azidodeoxycellulose having up to about 1.5% residual nitrogen as nitrate groups.

Abstract: Metal oxide containing polymers and particularly styrene, acrylic or protein polymers containing fine, magnetic iron oxide particles are formed by combining a NO.sub.2 -substituted polymer with an acid such as hydrochloric acid in the presence of metal, particularly iron particles. The iron is oxidized to fine, black Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 particles which deposit selectively on the polymer particles. Nitrated polymers are formed by reacting functionally substituted, nitrated organic compounds such as trinitrobenzene sulfonate or dinitrofluoro benzene with a functionally coreactive polymer such as an amine modified acrylic polymer or a protein. Other transition metals such as cobalt can also be incorporated into polymers using this method.

Abstract: Processes for the production of free-flowing, non-fibrous, alcohol-moistened nitrocellulose, characterized in that the water- or alcohol-moist nitrocellulose is softened with a solvent mixture of a nitrocellulose solvent and a lower aliphatic alcohol and water until the nitrocellulose fibers disappear, the alcohol-containing, liquid phase is decanted off from the two-phase mixture formed and the nitrocellulose-containing phase is processed into granulate using a screw extruder, the quantity of solvent mixture is used amounting to between 75 and 155% by weight, based on dry nitrocellulose, and the components of the mixture, NC-solvent:lower alcohol:water, being present in a ratio of 1:(0.2-4):(0.2-4).

Abstract: The invention provides an improved cellulosic ester or ether product with a degree of ester or ether substitution of between 2.0 and about 2.9 which is derivatized or further reacted by reaction with an acrylamide reactant to provide pendant acrylamide functionality or substituents at a degree of substitution (D.S.) of at least about 0.05 (preferably from about 0.05 to about 0.5) and to thereby provide a polymerizable organic solvent-soluble product which is insoluble in water and copolymerizable with vinyl monomers. The product is conveniently prepared by reacting said cellulose ether or ester derivative with a catalyst and the acrylamide reactant at a pH of from between about 4.2 and about 4.5. The reaction is carried out at a temperature between 80.degree. C. and 120.degree. C. for from one-half to three hours, while removing the water of reaction.

Abstract: The application discloses a process for making a polymeric powder which is readily dispersible in water to provide a composition useful for forming an enteric coating on pharmaceutical dosage forms and also a process for using the powder for its intended purpose.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-vessel autoclave which is suitable for use in a continuous process for purifying nitrocellulose made by the nitric acid-sulfuric acid nitration of cellulose. The autoclave comprises a plurality of adjacent cylindrical vessels wherein each common wall between the adjacent vessels has an opening for the passage of the nitrocellulose which is in a slurry. The openings are situated so the slurry flows in a serpentine path.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for removing trace sulfuric acid rom nitrocellulose fibers by dispersing the fibers in water and then subjecting them to ultrasonic energy for a time period and at an energy level sufficient to enhance the nitrocellulose fibers contact with water and facilitate sulfuric acid dispersal in the water. The waste water containing the traces of sulfuric acid contaminant from the nitrocellulose fibers is removed and the purified nitrocellulose fibers recovered.

Abstract: A continuous process is provided for the vapor phase nitration of cellulose n a novel reactor having a gas tight housing containing a table with a perforated surface. Cellulose in porous sheet form is continuously passed into the reactor over the perforated table while continuously introducing nitric acid vapor into the housing through the perforations to provide a cushion of nitric acid gas supporting the sheet and forcing nitric acid vapor through the porous sheet. Water vapor formed in the reaction and unreacted nitric acid vapor are continuously removed from the housing, together with the nitrocellulose sheet produced. The rate at which the cellulose sheet is passed through the reactor depends on the rate at which the nitric acid is introduced and the degree of nitration desired. The cellulose can be partially nitrated by the novel process and further nitrated with nitric acid in liquid phase. The process produces a uniform nitrocellulose product suitable for use in propellants.

Abstract: A process for purification of nitrocellulose containing residual acid from nitration is provided. In this process the nitrocellulose is cut in the presence of water to form an aqueous slurry of cut nitrocellulose fibers. The pH of the slurry is adjusted to a value of at least about 8 and the slurry is heated under pressure. The pH of the slurry is maintained above 8 during heating by addition of basic solution to the slurry. When the residual acid in the slurry is substantially completely neutralized, the fibers are separated from the slurry. The purified nitrocellulose is of reduced viscosity and satisfactory stability.

Abstract: Cellulose sulfate esters are cross-linked with tetravalent metal ions at a threshold pH of about 3.0 or higher. The cross-linked products have a higher aqueous viscosity and are more highly pseudoplastic than the precursor cellulose sulfate and may also exhibit a relatively high yield point. The products may be employed in forming thickened aqueous compositions and cohesive gel-like compositions.The presence of other metallic ions, in addition to the tetravalent metal ions, is beneficial and enhances the viscosity increase produced by cross-linking of the cellulose sulfate with the tetravalent metal ions.

Abstract: A polysaccharide or polyvinyl alcohol containing a mixture of nitrite ester groups with sulfate or nitrate ester groups with the mixture of ester groups being substantially uniformly distributed among the polymer units of the polysaccharide or polyvinyl alcohol.A nitrite ester of a polysaccharide alcohol having a degree of substitution of less than about 2.0. A nitrite ester of polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of substitution of 1.0 or less.

Abstract: Recovery of the chemical components of a cellulosic organic solvent regenerating solution containing a dialkylacylamide, a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol, a nitrite of the alcohol and nitric acid. The process comprises distilling the solution to remove the alcohol nitrite and alcohol, leaving the dialkylacylamide and nitric acid, recovering the alcohol, hydrolyzing to convert the alcohol nitrite to the alcohol and nitrous acid, neutralizing the nitric and nitrous acid with an alkali or alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide and distilling the solution to remove water and to separate and recover the remaining alcohol, the dialkylacylamide and the nitrate and nitrite salts. The nitrite and nitrate salts are converted by pyrolysis to nitrogen dioxide. The process results in substantially total recovery of the process chemicals.

Abstract: Recovery of the chemical components of a cellulosic organic solvent regenerating solution containing a dialkylacylamide, water, nitrous and nitric acid. The process comprises neutralizing the solution to form the metal salts of nitrous and nitric acid, distilling the neutralized solution to remove and recover the water and dialkylacylamide solvent and pyrolyzing the metal salts in the presence of oxygen to remove and recover nitrogen dioxide gas. The process results in substantially total recovery of the process chemicals.

Abstract: Preparation of partially substituted nitrate and sulfate esters of polysaccharides or polyvinylalcohol, their esters containing a mixture of nitrite with sulfate or nitrate groups, aqueous media thickened with such esters, the simultaneous preparation of such esters and alkyl nitrites or such esters and inorganic nitrites or nitrates and resulting products, useful as thickeners, films, fibers and in many other applications.

Abstract: A nitrocellulose-containing lacquer for producing a smokeless powder propellant, which lacquer includes nitrocellulose, a solvent for the nitrocellulose, water, and a surfactant for preventing the water from forming discrete globules in the lacquer.

Abstract: A polysaccharide or polyvinyl alcohol containing a mixture of nitrite ester groups with sulfate or nitrate ester groups with the mixture of ester groups being substantially uniformly distributed among the polymer units of the polysaccharide or polyvinyl alcohol.A nitrite ester of a polysaccharide alcohol having a degree of substitution of less than about 2.0. A nitrite ester of polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of substitution of 1.0 or less.

Abstract: A process of making azidodeoxycellulose nitrate in yields as high as 90 pent. The process initially involves the conversion of cellulose to the mesylate or tosylate derivative. This is followed by reacting the above cellulose derivative with a metallic azide to produce azidodeoxycellulose. Thereafter, the azidodeoxycellulose is nitrated thereby producing azidodeoxycellulose nitrate which is a propellant.

Abstract: The improvement of providing a shearing force to bundles of woodpulp to physically break apart the same into component parts simultaneously with nitration of said woodpulp in a tank containing nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and water.