Methanolysis and hydrolysis of cotton cellulose III

Well‐decrystallized cotton yarn, the remaining organized regions of which consisted predominantly of crystalline cellulose III, was subjected to partial solvolysis in aqueous and methanolic hydrochloric acid. From x‐ray examination of the residues a hypothesis is advanced regarding the reversion of cellulose III to cellulose I. The viscometric data indicated identical values of leveling‐off degree of polymerization by hydrolysis and by methanolysis, which is at variance with certain published data showing lower values for methanolysis. The data therefore neither support nor disprove the idea of recrystallization during hydrolysis, but indicate the need for further work along these lines.