Factors Which Influence the Kinetics of Cellulose Reactions

Abstract

An attempt has been made to show that the course of cellulose reactions in which the latter's hydroxyl groups are involved is governed by its physical structure (microscopical and sub- microscopical) as well as by the chemical nature of its hydroxyl groups. It would seem that for reasons not yet always clearly understood either one or the other of the two factors predomi nates— i.e., the physical accessibility of the hydroxyl groups, as dependent upon the crystalline- to-amorphous ratio, or their intrinsic chemical reactivity, as dependent upon the position of the hydroxyl groups in the anhydroglucose units. Practically all cellulose reactions may be grouped into four main "possibilities." These are discussed and illustrated by concrete examples, such as oxidation with various agents, etherification and esterification, sorption of water, exchange with heavy water, the action of sodium metal in liquid ammonia, and various other reactions.