A NEW TYPE OF CELLULOSE ETHER: THE PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF THE ω-(p-AMINOACETOPHENONE) ETHER OF CELLULOSE

With the object of preparing a cellulose ether containing diazotizable amino groups, seven different forms of cellulose, or cellulose derivatives, were treated with 10 different reagents under a variety of conditions. Reasons why only one reagent under one set of conditions gave a product with a substantial degree of substitution (0.35) and with satisfactory physical properties are presented. This resulting ether, the ω-(P-aminoacetophenone) ether of cellulose, was prepared by the reaction between ω-chloro-P-aminoacetophenone and ethanol-washed soda-cellulose (from wood pulp, cotton, paper, or rayon). It can be (a) diazotized and coupled with any of the usual reagents to yield cellulose-azo colors, (b) xanthated, before or after coupling, and spun as rayon filament; if uncoupled at this point it can be diazotized and coupled, (c) dyed directly with acid dyes, (d) rendered organo-soluble by nitration, and (e) carboxymethylated after coupling to yield colored, water-soluble derivatives. It is insoluble in the usual cellulose reagents, and is as stable to acid and alkaline hydrolysis as cellulose.