Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Methylcellulose or hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose is efficiently produced in a process that comprises the steps of a) contacting cellulose with an aqueous alkali hydroxide to produce alkali cellulose; b) reacting the alkali cellulose produced in step a) with a methylating agent in the presence or absence of a hydroxyalkylating agent to obtain a first reaction mixture; c) contacting the first reaction mixture obtained in step b) with solid alkali hydroxide having a water content of not more than 20 wt. %, based on dried alkali hydroxide, with or without contacting a second amount of a methylating agent with the first reaction mixture, to obtain a second reaction mixture; and d) isolating the produced methylcellulose or hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose from the second reaction mixture.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim