Cellulose Cellulose esters and ethers Cellulose esters and ethers

| Cellulose_ethers | Reagent_1 | Example | Reagent_3 | Group_R_is_H_or | Water_solubility | Application | E_number_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkyl | Halogenoalkanes | Methylcellulose | Chloromethane | -CH3 | Cold water soluble |  | E461 |
|  |  | Ethylcellulose | Chloroethane | -CH2CH3 | Water insoluble | A commercial thermoplastic used in coatings, inks, binders, and controlled-release drug tablets | E462 |
|  |  | Ethyl methyl cellulose | Chloromethane and chloroethane | -CH3 or -CH2CH3 |  |  | E465 |
| Hydroxyalkyl | Epoxides | Hydroxyethyl cellulose | Ethylene oxide | -CH2CH2OH | Cold/hot water soluble | Gelling and thickening agent |  |
|  |  | Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) | Propylene oxide | -CH2CH(OH)CH3 | Cold water soluble |  | E463 |
|  |  | Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose | Chloromethane and ethylene oxide | -CH3 or -CH2CH2OH | Cold water soluble | Production of cellulose films |  |
|  |  | Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) | Chloromethane and propylene oxide | -CH3 or -CH2CH(OH)CH3 | Cold water soluble | Viscosity modifier, gelling, foaming and binding agent | E464 |