On the hydrolysis of cellulose acetate in toluene/acetic acid/water system

This paper deals with the influence of the toluene presence in the reaction medium on the distribution of substituents and the degradation of macromolecular chains during the partial hydrolysis of cellulose acetate in toluene/acetic acid/water media, using sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Products with a low degree of substitution were obtained in shorter times than in the conventional procedure (acetic acid/water system). The presence of toluene in the hydrolysis bath leads to products with a higher amount of primary hydroxyls than in those obtained in the conventional process. The degradation of the polymeric chain during hydrolysis is lower in the first period of reaction and higher in the last one in comparison with that produced in a toluene-free system.