Patent ID: 8871924
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: C08B,G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for producing cellulose esters, said process comprising: a) contacting cellulose with at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate to form a cellulose solution, wherein said tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate is represented by the following formula wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 5 straight chain alkyl groups, branched alkyl groups, and C 2 -C 20 alkoxy groups; and R 5 and R 6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrido, C 1 -C 5 alkyl groups, and C 2 -C 20 alkoxy groups; b) contacting said cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent selected from the group consisting of acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride, isobutyric, anhydride, valeric anhydride, hexanoic anhydride, 2-ethylhexanoic anhydride, nonanoic anhydride, lauric anhydride, palmitic anhydride, stearic anhydride, benzoic anhydride, substituted benzoic anhydrides, phthalic anhydride, and isophthalic anhydride to produce an acylated cellulose solution comprising at least one cellulose ester; and c) separating at least a portion of said cellulose ester from said acylated cellulose solution to produce a recovered cellulose ester.