ABSTRACT
Cellulose, consisting of long chains of anhydroglucose units with three reactive hydroxyl groups each, forms esters with organic acids. Cellulose esters from almost any organic acids can be prepared; however, owing to steric hindrance, industrial applications are limited to esters of acids containing four or fewer carbon atoms. Cellulose acetate is produced in the largest volume and has considerable commercial significance. Cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) are produced in lower volumes but are also industrially important. Because of their instability, esters formed from formic acid are not produced commercially.
