Pyroxylin or Collodion Cotton

When cellulose, such as cotton fiber, is nitrated, between two and three nitrate groups enter the basic CjHioOj group causing between 11 and 14% nitrogen (N) to enter the molecule. The lowest nitration with 11 % N leads to products that are soluble in numerous solvents. As pyroxylin or collodion cotton, they are part of lacquers and plastics, the best-known being celluloid (Formula 149). Not suitable as a propellant, such material is sometimes of pyrotechnic interest as a binder or as a consumable structural component that requires very little oxygen for combustion. 

Collodion Cotton or Pyroxylinfcalled Pyroxyline or Collodion in Fr Kollodiumwolle in Ger ... 

N. See Collodion Cotton or Pyroxylin and Pyrocellulose, Pyro or Pyrocotton in Vol 2. 

According to Perez Ara(Ref 51) other sources, Spainish NC corresponding to Amer Collodion Cotton (Pyroxylin) is called Colodion CP2 or Algodon Colodion and consists of a mixt of octo- and nononitrocellulose. Its N is 11-12% and d 1/653 NO evolved was 180-190cc/g of NC [See also Sancho(Ref 39)1... 

See also under Collodion Cotton or Pyroxylin in Vol 2, p C103-R... 

CP3-French abbreviation for "Coton poudre 3 (NC contg to ca 11.5% N). See under Collodion Cotton or Pyroxylin in Vol 2, p Cl05 L... 

Pirokollodion (Pyrocollodion). A single-base proplnt contg NC of 12.45% N invented by D.I. Mendeleev in 1891. This proplnt served as a prototype for the Pyrocellulose single-base proplnt introduced in the US in 1895 by Ber-nadou and adopted by the Navy. Pyrocellulose, or simply Pyro is based on NC of about 12.6% N. See Collodion Cotton or Pyroxylin and Pyrocellulose, Pyro or Pyrocotton in Vol 2, C103-R to C106-L... 

Collodions are liquid preparations composed of pyroxylin (soluble gun cotton, collodion cotton) dissolved in a solvent mixture composed of alcohol (94% ethanol) and ether with or without added medicinals. Pyroxylin is obtained by the action of nitric and sulfuric acids on cotton or other ceUulosic material to produce cellulose tetranitrate. Pyroxylin is completely soluble in 25 parts of a mixture of 3 volumes of ether and 1 volume of alcohol. It is extremely flammable and must be stored in a well-closed container away from flame, heat, and light. Collodions are intended for external use as a protective coating to the skin. When medicated, it leaves a thin layer of that medication firmly placed against the skin. 

Another class, the nitro-celluloses, are formed from cellulose, C 6 H 10 O 5, which forms the groundwork of all vegetable tissues. Cellulose has some of the properties of the alcohols, and forms ethereal salts when treated with nitric and sulphuric acids. The hexa-nitrate, or gun-cotton, has the formula, C 12 H 14 0 4 (0N0 2 ) 6 and collodion-cotton, pyroxylin, c., form the lower nitrates, i.e., the tetra- and penta-nitrates. These last are soluble in various solvents, such as ether-alcohol and nitro-glycerine, in which the hexa-nitrate is insoluble. They all dissolve, however, in acetone and acetic ether. 

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