An X‐ray study of the decomposition product of the ethylamine‐cellulose complex

Abstract

Abstract The present paper reports the results of a study of the decomposition product of the ethylamine‐cellulose complex obtained from cotton cellulose. It is shown that the cotton remaining after removal of ethylamine by distillation possesses a crystalline component identical with the ammonia‐cellulose decomposition product designated by other workers as cellulose III. Certain important differences between ramie cellulose III and cotton cellulose III are discussed especially as regards the relative ease of recoversion to cellulose I. Experimental data are given showing the effect on degree of conversion of temperature, and of two different times of immersion in boiling water. Data are also given showing the effect on the structure of the decomposition product of time of immersion in ethylamine. An attempt is made to explain the appearance of a strong diatropic 020 interference in the x‐ray patterns of the decomposition product and of the regenerated cotton cellulose I.