Cellulose, explosives Properties

Solutions of synthetic polyglucoses have also been used for density-gradient centrifugation of viruses. 16 These substances are especially suited to this purpose, since they can be dissolved in water or buffer to yield solutions of high concentration and low intrinsic viscosity and a density similar to that of sucrose solutions. Because of their low rate of diffusion, polyglucoses form gradients that are more stable. A polyglucose nitrate possessed explosive properties, similar to those of starch nitrates and cellulose nitrates.200... 

Dimethylol nitropropane dinitrate (2-ethyl-2-nitropropyleneglycol-l,3-cellulose nitrate. Dimethylol nitropropane dinitrate is a liquid explosive with weak explosion property, slightly higher than chrysolepic acid. Its lead-block value is larger than chrysolepic acid by 25 % and the shock sensitivity is weaker than chrysolepic acid. 

Its shock sensitivity is stronger than glycol dinitrate. It has been found that 10 % explosion risk for glycol dinitrate needs shock energy of 0.91 kg m/cm, while for nitromethoxy methanol nitrate only 0.11 kg m/cm is needed. Nitromethoxy methanol nitrate is able to dissolve collodion and more volatile than glycol nitrate. The chemical stability and explosion property of nitromethoxy methanol nitrate and its cellulose nitrate solution are weak. 

Cellulose nitrate, with a lower d.s. of 1.9-2.5 is known as pyroxylin (reaction 7.2). This nitrate was used to form the first important commercial plastic known as celluloid, which was formed by mixing pyroxylin with camphor as a plasticizer. The camphor eliminates the explosive properties, but produces a very flammable product. The addition of the pyroxylin/camphor mass in alcohol into molds with heat and pressure gives the formation of celluloid in a desired shape. Pyroxylin is also used in lacquers and films. 

Shevchenko, S. M., Chang, K., Dick, D. G., Gregg, D. J., and Saddler, J. N., Structure and properties of lignin in softwoods after S02-catalyzed steam explosion and enzymatic hydrolysis. Cellulose Chem Technol 2001, 35 (5-6), 487-502. 

The preceding discussion of the industrial products obtained from cellulose while not complete nor in technical detail emphasizes the striking fact that cellulose, a widely distributed natural substance, complex in its constitution and inactive in its properties, may, by either mechanical treatment or chemical reaction, be converted into such important products as thread, string and rope wearing apparel (cotton and linen). Mercerized cotton, artificial silk collodion, celluloid, smokeless powders and high explosives. 

This account, supplementary to the recent review of the chemistry of the nitrates of simple aliphatic alcohols, describes the preparation, properties, and reactions of carbohydrate nitrates, but deals neither with the important physical properties nor with the thermal and explosive decompositions of polysaccharide (especially cellulose) nitrates. 

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