Methylethyl cellulose

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Structural formula
Cellulose derivatives.svg
Simplified structural formula of methylethyl cellulose (R = H or CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 )
General
Surname Methylethyl cellulose
other names
  • Ethyl methyl cellulose
  • MEC
  • E  465
CAS number 9004-69-7
Monomers / partial structures Cellobiose , methyl chloride , ethyl chloride
Brief description

hygroscopic, odorless, yellowish powder

properties
Physical state

firmly

solubility
  • Swelling in water: forms a clear to opalescent, viscous, colloidal solution
  • insoluble in ethanol
safety instructions
GHS labeling of hazardous substances
no classification available
H and P phrases H: see above
P: see above
As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions .

Methylcellulose ( MEC ) is a collective term for cellulose ethers ( derivatives of cellulose ) in which some of the hydroxyl groups are linked as ethers with methyl and ethyl groups. In Europe, methyl cellulose is approved as a food additive under the E number E 465 .

Manufacturing

Cellulose or pulp is ground and mixed with alkali. The alkylation of the alkali cellulose to methylethyl cellulose then takes place in succession with methyl chloride and ethyl chloride . The cellulose is obtained from conifers and hardwoods. The original cellulose structure is retained during the conversion.

Properties / use

MEC has comparable rheological properties to the related methyl cellulose . Methylethyl cellulose can be used as a thickener , stabilizer , foaming agent and emulsifier . The production volume in the 1990s was 60 tons per year, today MEC is no longer produced.

Individual evidence

  1. Entry on E 465: Ethyl methyl cellulose in the European database for food additives, accessed on August 6, 2020.
  2. a b c d Methyl Ethyl Cellulose , monograph by 17th JECFA (1973), published in FNP 4 (1978) and FNP 52 (1992).
  3. This substance has either not yet been classified with regard to its hazardousness or a reliable and citable source has not yet been found.
  4. a b c d Tanja Wüstenberg: Cellulose and cellulose derivatives. Behr's Verlag, 2013, ISBN 978-3-95468-188-4 , p. 295 ( limited preview in Google book search).