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Question. Cellulose is converted to cellulose acetateby treatment with acetic anhydride and pyridine. Cellulose acetate is soluble in common organic solvents, and it is easily dissolved and spun into fibres. Show the structure of cellulose acetate.

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Cellulose acetate

Cellulose acetate is a cellulose derivative and a biodegradable material. It is partially acetylated cellulose in which acetyl content ranges from mono to triacetate groups. Cellulose is converted to cellulose acetate by treatment with acetic anhydride and pyridine.

Structure of cellulose acetate

The most common form of cellulose acetate possesses acetate groups on two of every three hydroxyls of anhydroglucose unit. The anhydroglucose unit is the repeating cellulose unit with three hydroxyl groups that react and get converted to acetate esters. It is soluble in organic solvents.