Abstract: A cellulose ester film comprises (a) an ultraviolet absorbent polymer having at least one of repeating units represented by formulae (1) and (2) and repeating units having ultraviolet absorbent structures represented by formulae (3), (4) and (5), (b) an ultraviolet absorbent polymer which is a copolymer of a repeating unit represented by the following formula (6), (7) or (19) with a monomer unit derived from another ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (c) an ultraviolet absorbent polymer which is a copolymer of a monomer represented by formula (8) with a monomer represented by formula (9), or (d) modified cellulose in which an ultraviolet absorbent structure bonds directly or through a spacer to a hydroxy group of cellulose or its derivative.

Abstract: A process for adjusting an intermolecular or intramolecular degree of acetyl substitution of cellulose acetate is disclosed. The process comprises ripening cellulose acetate in the presence of a catalyst, an acetyl donor, and water or an alcohol. The amount of water and the alcohol is in the range of 0.1 to 10 mol % based on the amount of the acetyl donor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cellulose triacetate which exhibits a satisfactory filtration performance Thus, the present invention provides a cellulose triacetate whose occlusion constant (K) determined by the following method is 70 or less. Method: the cellulose triacetate is dissolved in a solvent mixture of methylene chloride/methanol (9/1 w/w) to form a 16% by weight (as a solid concentration) solution, which is then filtered under a constant pressure at the filtration pressure of 3 kg/cm2 and the temperature of 25° C. using a muslin filter to determine a filtered volume with the lapse of time, from which the slope of a linear curve represented by t/V−t (wherein t is a filtration time (sec) and V is a filtered volume (ml)) is calculated to obtain an occlusion constant (K) where K=slope×2×104.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorinated biopolymer and polymer derivatives useful as imaging probes, diagnostic agents and contrast agents and to imaging methods employing the fluorinated biopolymers and polymers.

Abstract: A process for producing cellulose acetate by acetylation reaction with cellulose as a raw material, wherein acetate is used as an acetylating agent.

Abstract: A wooden material is made by bonding together with a binder resin, ozonized wood elements obtained by acetylating wood elements and then ozonizing the acetylated wood elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cellulose acetate satisfying at least one requirement selected from the following requirements (A), (B) and (C), provided that the case where (B) alone is satisfied is excluded.

Abstract: A producing method of a cellulose polymer powder is provided, which comprises dissolving a cellulose polymer by exposure to an organic solvent containing, as the main component, an ester-based solvent having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a ketone-based solvent having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alcohol-based solvent having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and carbon dioxide, and then removing the carbon dioxide and the organic solvent from the solution. A producing method of an organic solvent solution of a cellulose polymer is also provided.

Abstract: A product of acetoacetylated saccharide and the process of making such a product. The process is enzymatic where an enzyme is used as a catalyst for the reaction. The enzymatic process provides better yields and milder process conditions compared to other chemical synthesis process without any enzyme.

Abstract: A regioselectively substituted member selected from the group consisting of oligo-saccharide ester and polysaccharide ester is disclosed. The ester has a partial average degree of substitution AS at the C2 position of its anhydroglucose unit of at least 90% relative to the total AS. Also disclosed is a method of producing the regioselectively substituted ester. The method entails reacting in the presence of a catalyst a dissolved or a highly swollen oligo-saccharide or polysaccharide with an esterification reagent.

Abstract: Emulsifiers based on the reaction product of hydrocolloid and dicarboxylic anhydrides, especially useful in the preparation of oil-in-water emulsions.

Abstract: A catalytic system for cellulose acylation includes an adduct of sulfuric acid with N,N-dimethylacetamide, free sulfuric acid or free N,N-dimethylacetamide with the following mole ratio of the components: adduct:1.0; free sulfuric acid, max:0.49; or free N,N-dimethylacetamide, max:0.4. A process for producing such a catalytic system is based upon reacting sulfuric acid with N,N-dimethylacetamide in an anhydrous medium at a temperature of 0° C.-25° C. with the following mole weight ratio of the components: sulfuric acid:1.0; N,N-dimethylacetamide, max:1.4. A process for cellulose acylation in the presence of this catalytic system incorporates cellulose treatment with acetic acid followed by treatment of the resultant activated cellulose with a lower fatty acid anhydride at a temperature of 10° C.-90° C. in the presence of this catalytic system taken in an amount of 1.5-30.0 wt.

Abstract: A polymer compound or a salt thereof which comprises a biodegradable polymer such as polyglutamic acid acetylated at N-terminal thereof containing a glycosphingolipid such as lysoganglioside GM3, and which exerts antiviral activity against variety of viruses and is useful as an active ingredient of a medicament.

Abstract: A cellulose triacetate film characterized in being comprised of cellulose triacetate which is prepared by employing cotton liter as the raw material, having a value of weight average molecular weight Mw/number average molecular weight Mn of 3.5 to 4.5, or being comprised of cellulose triacetate which is prepared by employing wood pulp as the raw material, having a value of weight average molecular weight Mw/number average molecular weight Mn of 4.0 to 5.0.

Abstract: A process for producing cellullose acetate by acetylation reaction with cellulose as a raw material, wherein acetate is used as an acetylating agent.

Abstract: A producing method of a cellulose polymer powder is provided, which comprises dissolving a cellulose polymer by exposure to an organic solvent containing, as the main component, an ester-based solvent having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a ketone-based solvent having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alcohol-based solvent having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and carbon dioxide, and then removing the carbon dioxide and the organic solvent from the solution. A producing method of an organic solvent solution of a cellulose polymer is also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a solution of cellulose acylate is disclosed. The method comprises comprising the steps of (1) chilling an organic solvent containing no chlorinated organic solvent at a temperature of from −100° C. to −10° C., (2) mixing cellulose acylate containing an alkali-earth metal compound in an amount of from 10 ppm to 100 ppm with said chilled organic solvent to form a mixture, (3) swelling the cellulose acylate in the mixture, and (4) dissolving the mixture containing the swollen cellulose acylate by heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing cellulose esters having a total DS/AGU of 0.1 to 3.0, said process comprising contacting the following:(i) a cellulose material,(ii) a solubilizing amount of a solvent system comprising a carboxamide diluent or a urea-based diluent,(iii) an acylating reagent, and(iv) an insoluble sulfonic acid resin catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cellulose ester composition, containing 1 to 99% by weight of cellulose triacetate prepared by substituting hydroxyl groups of cellulose with acetyl and having a degree of substitution with acetyl, DSace, which satisfies the relationship: 2.7.ltoreq.DSace.ltoreq.3.0, and 99 to 1% by weight of a mixed fatty acid ester of cellulose prepared by substituting hydroxyl groups of cellulose with acetyl and acyl groups having three or more carbon atoms and having degrees of substitution with acetyl and acyl groups having three or more carbon atoms, DSace and DSacyl, respectively, which satisfy the relationships: (I) 2.20.ltoreq.DSace.ltoreq.2.95, (II) 0.05.ltoreq.DSacyl.ltoreq.0.80 and (III) 2.60.ltoreq.DSace+DSacyl.ltoreq.3.00.

Abstract: Compositions and lures are described which provide vapor blends of acetic acid and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of isobutanol, racemic 2-methyl-1-butanol, S-(-)-2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, heptyl butyrate, and butyl butyrate which function as highly effective attractants for yellowjacket wasps and paper wasps. By attracting wasps to traps or baits, the chemical attractants provide a means for detecting, surveying, monitoring, and controlling the wasps.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to obtain cellulose acetate with improved physical properties, particularly film strength arid improved flexibility of the molded product. Cellulose acetate wherein average degree of acetylation is not less than 59%, viscosity average degree of polymerization (DP) is not less than 290, and concentrated solution viscosity (.eta.) according to the falling ball viscosity method for viscosity average degree of polymerization (DP) is expressed by the following formula (1): 2.814.times.ln(DP)-11.753.ltoreq.ln(.eta.).ltoreq.7.28.times.ln(DP)-37.059 (1) and a process for production thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified cellulose ester containing unsaturated pendent groups which can be prepared by reacting a cellulose ester containing residual hydroxyl groups with, for example, maleic anhydride in acetic acid solvent with sodium acetate catalyst. The modified cellulose ester is not homopolymerizable but will copolymerize in the presence of vinyl crosslinking agents and a photoinitiator upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The modified cellulose ester is useful as a protective and/or decorative coating for wood, metal, plastics, paper, board, and other substrates, as well as an additive to printing inks, and as a nail polish. In addition, because of the propensity for the pendant carboxyl groups to form hydrophilic salts with amines, the modified cellulose esters can be formulated to be water-dispersible.

Abstract: Disclosed are aminated acetate fiber comprising acetylcellulose and one or more water-insoluble quaternary starch ether esters, said starch ether esters containing ester groups of formulae --O--CO--CH.sub.3 and/or --O--CO--C.sub.2 H.sub.5 and ether groups of the general formula I--O--CH.sub.2 --X--CH.sub.2 --N.sup.+ R.sub.3 A.sup.- (I)whereX is a direct bond or --CH(OH)-- andA.sup.- is an anion or one equivalent of an anion, andR is hydrogen, methyl and/or ethyl,and the degree of substitution of said ether group being within the range from 0.002 to 0.8, the degree of substitution of said ester group being within the range from 0.7 to 2.998 and the overall degree of substitution being within the range from 1.5 to 3, its preparation and its use and also quaternary starch ether esters present therein.

Abstract: A fatty acid ester of cellulose having excellent transparency, filterability and spinnability in spite of its high content of mannose and xylose, wherein the total molar content of mannose and xylose accounts for at least 7% of that of glucose, mannose and xylose, and the amount of filtration satisfies a specified requirement. Such a fatty acid ester of cellulose is prepared by using a pulp having a low .alpha.-cellulose content as a raw material and a fatty acid corresponding to the ester as a diluent and adding an organic solvent in an amount of at least 10% by weight based on the diluent in any step during the preparation. In the preparation of cellulose diacetate, which excellent filterability and transparency, by the acetic acid process, the cellulose diacetate obtained by aging is dissolved in a solvent which can dissolve it and the resulting cellulose diacetate is recovered.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for chemically modifying polysaccharides in a densified fluid. In particular, the modification includes esterification and/or etherification of a starch in supercritical carbon dioxide. The process is advantageous in that it allows for a high degree of substitution without the use of organic solvents or repeated reactions.

Abstract: Cellulose acetate having a high moldability and low solution viscosity in spite of having a high average degree of polymerization is obtained. The low molecular weight components of cellulose acetate (e.g., CTA having average degree of acetylation of 59.0 to 62.5%) are eluted with a washing solvent to produce a cellulose acetate having a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1 to 1.7. As the washing solvent, those swell or partially dissolve the cellulose acetate, for example, those which dissolve 0.1 to 30% by weight of cellulose acetate can be used. This solvent includes, for example, a solvent having a solubility parameter .delta. of 7 to 12.5 (ketones, ethers, organic acid, esters, etc.).

Abstract: In a production process of a cellulose acetate which comprises (a) a reduced pressure-acetylation step of acetylating a cellulose under a reduced pressure in the presence of sulfuric acid or other acidic catalyst, with distilling off a gaseous phase component of the reaction system out of the system, and (b) a post-acetylation step of allowing the acetylation to further proceed by increasing the pressure as compared with the pressure of the reduced pressure-acetylation step by means of release of the pressure reduction of the reaction system or the like, the shift operation from the reduced pressure-acetylation step to the post-acetylation step is conducted by taking a distilling rate of a distillate in the reduced pressure-acetylation step as an index to control the reaction temperature of the post-acetylation step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing cellulose esters having a total DS/AGU of 0.1 to 3.0, said process consisting of contacting the following:(i) a cellulose material,(ii) a solubilizing amount of a solvent system comprising a carboxamide diluent or a urea-based diluent,(iii) an acylating reagent, and(iv) a titanium-containing compound.

Abstract: Cellulose acetate having a high moldability and low solution viscosity in spite of having a high average degree of polymerization is obtained. The low molecular weight components of cellulose acetate (e.g., CTA having average degree of acetylation of 59.0 to 62.5%) are eluted with a washing solvent to produce a cellulose acetate having a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1 to 1.7. As the washing solvent, those swell or partially dissolve the cellulose acetate, for example, those which dissolve 0.1 to 30% by weight of cellulose acetate can be used. This solvent includes, for example, a solvent having a solubility parameter .delta. of 7 to 12.5 (ketones, ethers, organic acid, esters, etc.).

Abstract: An object of the invention is to obtain cellulose acetate having improved physical properties, particularly film strength and improved flexibility of the molded product. Cellulose acetate having an average degree of acetylation of not less than 59%, viscosity average degree of polymerization (DP) of not less than 290. and concentrated solution viscosity (.eta.) according to falling ball viscosity method for viscosity average degree of polymerization (DP) expressed by the following formula (1):2.814.times.ln(DP)-11.753.ltoreq.ln(.eta.).ltoreq.7.28.times.ln(DP)-37.059( 1)and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: In a production process of a cellulose acetate which comprises (a) a reduced pressure-acetylation step of acetylating a cellulose under a reduced pressure in the presence of sulfuric acid or other acidic catalyst, with distilling off a gaseous phase component of the reaction system out of the system, and (b) a post-acetylation step of allowing the acetylation to further proceed by increasing the pressure as compared with the pressure of the reduced pressure-acetylation step by means of release of the pressure reduction of the reaction system or the like, the shift operation from the reduced pressure-acetylation step to the post-acetylation step is conducted by taking a distilling rate of a distillate in the reduced pressure-acetylation step as an index to control the reaction temperature of the post-acetylation step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for acetylation of lignocellulosic fibres (LF) using an acetylating agent comprising acetic anhydride at a temperature of above 140.degree. C. and a pressure of 100-150 kPa wherein raw or substantially raw LFs are treated with a superheated acetylating agent comprising at least 20 % w/w acetic anhydride for a duration of at least 1.5 minutes in an acetylation reactor (3), the treatment with superheated acetylating agent also ensuring that the acetylated LFs are substantially free from occluded, adsorbed or absorbed acetylating agent, the amounts of which are less than 5 % w/w of the acetylated LFs recovered from the base of a circulation cyclone (5), so as to substantially acetylate the LFs to achieve a weight gain of at least 2 %. The LFs may optionally be pre-treated, prior to being treated with the superheated acetylating agent, preferably by spraying, for a very short period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical instruments and similar devices make use of hydrogen peroxide vapor released from a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex, such as a urea-peroxide complex. Optionally, a plasma can be used in conjunction with the vapor. A method for preparing substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide complexes is also provided. These complexes are useful as a source of peroxide vapor in hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilizers and as a component of self-sterilizing packaging materials.

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 relates to a process for preparing cellulose esters having a total DS/AGU of 0.1 to 3.0, said process comprising contacting the following:(i) a cellulose material,(ii) a solubilizing amount of a solvent system comprising a carboxamide diluent or a urea-based diluent,(iii) an acylating reagent, and(iv) a titanium-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified cellulose ester containing unsaturated pendent groups which can be prepared by reacting a cellulose ester containing residual hydroxyl groups with, for example, maleic anhydride in acetic acid solvent with sodium acetate catalyst. The modified cellulose ester is not homopolymerizable but will copolymerize in the presence of vinyl crosslinking agents and a photoinitiator upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The modified cellulose ester is useful as a protective and/or decorative coating for wood, metal, plastics, paper, board, and other substrates, as well as an additive to printing inks, and as a nail polish. In addition, because of the propensity for the pendant carboxyl groups to form hydrophilic salts with amines, the modified cellulose esters can be formulated to be water-dispersible.

Abstract: A method for treating cellulose with cellulose ester for use in various paper products involves reacting cellulose and an acid anhydride to form a cellulose ester-carboxylic acid solution. Acetic anhydride may be used as the acid anhydride, and a cellulose acetate-acetic acid solution may formed as the resulting cellulose ester-acetic acid solution. The cellulose acetate-acetic acid solution is diluted in a mixer, with additional acetic acid. Bulk cellulose is milled into cellulose fibers, and the diluted cellulose acetate-acetic acid solution diluted is combined with the cellulose fibers to achieve a treated fiber. Excess cellulose acetate-acetic acid solution is removed from the treated fiber and recycled to the mixer used in dilution. The treated fiber is water washed followed by removing water from the washed treated fiber. This product can then be used in paper making to produce a sheet for circuit boards, laminated products, and various paper products.

Abstract: The composition comprising a cellulose ester including at least 10 weight % of a low-substituted cellulose ester having an average degree of substitu- tion not exceeding 2.15 and giving a 4-week decomposition rate of at least 60 weight % as determined using the amount of evolution of carbon dioxide as an indicator in accordance with ASTM 125209-91. The composition may contains a plasticizer, an aliphatic polyester, a photolysis accelerator such as anatase type titanium dioxide or a biodegradation accelerator such as organic acids and their esters. The low-substituted cellulose ester may be a cellulose ester having an average degree of polymerization from 50 to 250, an average degree of substitution from 1.0 to 2.15 and a residual alkali metal/alkaline earth metal-to-residual sulfuric acid equivalent ratio of 0.1 to 1.1. The biodegradable cellulose ester composition is suitable for the manufacture of various articles including fibrous articles such as tobacco filters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic and biodegradable polysaccharide esters/polysaccharide ether esters, which are characterised in that they can be represented by the general structure ##STR1## wherein Polysaccharide-O represents the substituted OH groups of a polymeric saccharide unit and wherein A is a linear polyether chain of the following structureA=(E--O)nwherein E signifies a linear aliphatic or aromatic branched or unbranched chain having 2 to 11 C atoms, n is an integer equal to or greater than 0 and both B and D are a maleic acid addition product of the following structure ##STR2## wherein F is an aliphatic, saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated carbon skeleton, which may optionally be provided with further substituents and wherein C can be a hydrogen atom, one or more substituents from the group dihydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, methyl, ethyl, benzyl, dihydroxypropyl, carboxyalkyl, sulphoalkyl or cyanoethyl.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cellulose acetate film comprises the steps of: cooling a mixture of cellulose acetate and an organic solvent to -100.degree. to -10.degree. C.; warming the cooled mixture to 0.degree. to 50.degree. C. to dissolve the cellulose acetate in the organic solvent; casting the obtained solution on a support; and evaporating the organic solvent to form the cellulose acetate film. The cellulose acetate has an average acetic acid content in the range of 58.0 to 62.5%. The organic solvent is acetone.

Abstract: A laminar flow process for preparing cellulose diacetate fibers is disclosed. In the process, a precipitation-acid stream and an acid-dope stream are contacted in a zone having substantially laminar flow. The acid-dope stream is annularly disposed within and flows in the same direction as the precipitation-acid stream. The precipitation-acid stream has a temperature of 100.degree. to 200.degree. F. and comprises 25 to 35 percent by weight acetic acid and 75 to 65 percent by weight water. The acid-dope stream has a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 200.degree. F. and comprised of 5 to 22 weight percent of cellulose diacetate having an inherent viscosity of at least 1.0, and 95 to 78 percent by weight of a mixture comprising 65 to 90 weight percent acetic acid and 35 to 10 weight percent water. The precipitation-acid stream has a linear flow greater than or equal to the linear flow of the acid-dope stream. The weight ratio of the precipitation-acid stream to the acid-dope stream is at least 9:1.

Abstract: An improved process for surface treating water soluble cellulosic polymers with crosslinking agents to provide products which are more readily dispersible in cold water, and have longer viscosity delay times than can be achieved with polymers treated in low intensity mixers, such as ribbon blenders, comprising distributing the crosslinking agent using a continuous, high intensity mixer, followed by heating to facilitate surface crosslinking. This process also allows for a reduced level of crosslinking chemicals to be used.

Abstract: A cellulose acetate solution has cellulose acetate in a solvent. The cellulose acetate has an average acetic acid content in the range of 58.0 to 62.5%. In the first embodiment of the invention, the solvent is a mixture of acetone and another organic solvent. The organic solvent is an ether having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a ketone having 4 to 12 carbon atom, an ester having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, or an alcohol having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In the second embodiment, the solvent is the ether, the ketone or the ester. Processes for the preparation of the solution and a cellulose acetate film are also disclosed.

Abstract: The composition comprising a cellulose ester including at least 10 weight % of a low-substituted cellulose ester having an average degree of substitution not exceeding 2.15 and giving a 4-week decomposition rate of at least 60 weight % as determined using the amount of evolution of carbon dioxide as an indicator in accordance with ASTM 125209-91. The composition may contains a plasticizer, an aliphatic polyester, a photolysis accelerator such as anatase type titanium dioxide or a biodegradation accelerator such as organic acids and their esters. The low-substituted cellulose ester may be a cellulose ester having an average degree of polymerization from 50 to 250, an average degree of substitution from 1.0 to 2.15 and a residual alkali metal/alkaline earth metal-to-residual sulfuric acid equivalent ratio of 0.1 to 1.1. The biodegradable cellulose ester composition is suitable for the manufacture of various articles including fibrous articles such as tobacco filters.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for the manufacture of cellulose acetate. The process reacts, at a temperature suitable for acetylation, an acetic acid activated pretreated cellulose raw material containing 100 parts cellulose by dry weight, and 0.5 to 40 parts of a bisulfate catalyst by dry weight of the cellulose. The bisulfate catalyst is selected from lithium bisulfate, sodium bisulfate, and potassium bisulfate. To enhance mixing with the activated and pretreated cellulose, the catalyst may be mixed with 2 to 4 parts of acetic anhydride by dry weight of the cellulose, and 4 to 6 parts of acetic acid by dry weight of the cellulose. In a further embodiment, 0.05 to 10 parts of a strong Bronsted acid by weight of the dry cellulose may be added as a co-catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new strain of Sporothrix flocculosa Arcc 74320 resistant to the fungicide dodemorph-acetate and its use as a biofungicide in integrated pest management with the fungicide.

Abstract: A cellulose solution having excellent fluidity and formability is prepared by dissolving a cellulose composition containing a component (I) of cellulose having a polymerization degree of 500 to 1000, and a component (II) of at least one member selected from celluloses having a polymerization degree corresponding to 90% of that of the component (I) cellulose and being in the range of from 350 to 900, cellulose derivatives and polysaccharides, the mixing ratio of the component (I) to the component (II) being 95:5 to 50:50, in a mixed solvent comprising N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and another solvent material compatible with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide but not capable of dissolving cellulose therein, and the resultant cellulose solution being useful for producing shaped articles, for example, fibers and films.

Abstract: A acetylating agent vapor is brought into contact with a material containing cellulose while continuously moving the acetylating agent, and thereby, the material containing cellulose is acetylated in a vapor phase. Solvents for dilution, catalysts, and an immersion process in an acetylating agent (liquid) are not necessary, and thereby, it is not merely the case that the process is simplified, but the acetylation period is shortened as a result of the increase in reaction efficiency, and the accumulation of excess heat of reaction in the material containing cellulose during the reaction is prevented, and thereby, the uniformity of acetylation is improved. Furthermore, in the present invention, wooden strips acetylated by this method are accumulated and modified wood is manufactured. This modified wood has superior resistance to moisture, possesses no acetic acid odor, and does not cause rusting.

Abstract: Water soluble or water-dispersible cellulose acetoacetate esters are prepared by contacting a cellulose material with diketene, an alkyl acetoacetate, 2,2,6-trimethyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-one or a mixture thereof and a carboxylic anhydride in a solvent system comprising lithium chloride plus a carboxamide. Compositions containing the cellulose acetoacetate esters are useful for coatings applications.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device having a plurality of pixel electrodes for transmitting light, a first panel having an activation portion for selectively activating the plurality of pixel electrodes, an orientation layer formed on the activation portion, a light shielding pattern formed on the orientation layer, a second panel having a second orientation layer, a liquid crystal formed between the first and second panels, a polarizing plate or a color filter and a protective film on at least one of the aforementioned surfaces wherein the protective layer includes a cellulose ester selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose having an inherent viscosity of from about 1.0 to less than 2.0 dl/g.