Study of the process of heterophasic O-nitrosation of cellulose

• Published in: Polymer science USSR 1990, Vol.32 (2), p.202-208
• Main Authors: Torgashov, V.I., Gert, Ye.V., Bil'dyukevich, A.V., Kaputskii, F.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0032-3950; 1878-268X
• DOI: 10.1016/0032-3950(90)90004-P

The kinetics of heterophasic O-nitrosation of cellulose by N 2O 4 in organic media has been studied. The influence on the process of the concentration of N 2O 4 in the system, the nature of the organic solvent, temperature and the accessibility of the structure of the cellulose material has been established. The dependence of the reaction rate on the transport properties of the medium and cellulose matrix and also on complexing between the liquid components of the reaction mixture slowing the reaction has been demonstrated. The patterns observed are explained with reference to the “functional density” of the solvents equal to the number of carriers of the electron donor function per unit volume. According to topokinetic equations the reaction proceeds in the kinetic region whereas the other findings, including X-ray phase analysis, convincingly point to transport limitation. From the results taken as a whole it is concluded that the reaction in the “outer kinetic region” is of a layered character.