DESCRIPTION

Ethyl Cellulose occurs as a free-flowing, white to light tan powder. It is heat labile, and exposure to high temperatures (240°) causes color degradation and loss of properties. It is practically insoluble in water, in glycerin, and in propylene glycol, but is soluble in varying proportions in certain organic solvents, depending on the ethoxyl content. Ethyl Cellulose containing less than 46%–48% of ethoxyl groups is freely soluble in tetrahydrofuran, in methyl acetate, in chloroform, and in aromatic hydrocarbon–alcohol mixtures. Ethyl Cellulose containing 46%–48% or more of ethoxyl groups is freely soluble in alcohol, in methanol, in toluene, in chloroform, and in ethyl acetate. A 1:20 aqueous suspension is neutral to litmus.