Process for the manufacture of methyl cellulose ether

摘要

A water-soluble methyl cellulose ether, having a flocculation point below 100° C., is manufactured by reacting methyl chloride and a cellulose activated by mercerising the cellulose with aqueous alkali in the presence of a C₂-C₃ alkyl chloride as a reaction medium at a temperature from 65° C. to 90° C. and at a pressure from 3 to 15 bar. The weight ratio between the cellulose and the C₂-C₃ alkyl chloride is normally from 1:1 to 1:5. The use of the reaction medium makes it possible to produce at a low pressure methyl cellulose ether at a good rate.