Phthaloylation of Cellulose Acetate in Acetic Acid and Acetone Media.

AstudY of the phthaloylation of cellulose acetate in two reaction media consisting of acetic acid and acetone, respectively is performed by using a statistical experimental design. Two kinds of cellulose acetate having degrees of acetylation of 1.62 and 1.93, respectively are used as starting materials. Two mathematical models are obtained for describing the correlation between the degree of phthaloylation of the synthesized cellulose acetate phthalates and the principal reaction parameters involved: the molar ratios of catalyst/cellulose acetate and phthaloylation agent/cellulose acetate. It is concluded that the degree of phthaloylation of the products ;s mainly influenced by the amount of phthaloylation agent in the case of acetic acid and by the amount of catalyst in the case of acetone used as organic solvent.