Study of the nitration of methyl cellulose

A two-step procedure for the preparation of methyl cellulose nitrate is described. The heterogeneity of the methylation step is reflected in the nonuniformity of the products obtained by nitration with either 98% nitric acid or a solution of 98% nitric acid in methylene chloride. On the basis of the experimental data it is calculated that methyl cellulose having a minimum degree of substitution of 1.8 is required for the preparation of a uniformly substituted methyl cellulose nitrate.