ETHYL HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE
Prepared at the 49th JECFA (1997), published in FNP 52 Add 5 (1997) superseding specifications prepared at the 29th JECFA (1985), published in FNP 34 (1986) and in FNP 52 (1992). A group ADI 'not specified' was established at the 35th JECFA (1989)
SYNONYM INS No. 467
DEFINITION Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose is cellulose in which both ethyl and hydroxyethyl groups are attached to the anhydroglucose units by ether
linkages. Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is prepared from cellulose by treatment with alkali, ethylene oxide and ethyl chloride. The article of commerce may be specified further by the viscosity of its aqueous solutions.
Chemical names Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether of ethyl cellulose
C.A.S. number 9004-58-4
Chemical formula [C6H7O2(OH)x(OC2H5)y[O(CH2CH2O)mH]z]n
where n is the degree of polymerisation
x + y + z = 3
y = 0.7 - 1.5 (degree of ethyl substitution, DS)
m + z = 0.5 - 2.5 (molar hydroxyethyl substitution, MS)
Possible structural formula for a repeating unit of an ethyl hydroxyethyl
cellulose with a DS = 1.0 and a MS = 1.0
Formula weight Unsubstituted structural unit: 162.14
Structural unit with DS = MS = 1.0: 234
Structural unit with DS = 1.0; MS = 2.0: 278
Structural unit with DS = 1.5; MS = 0.5: 226
Macromolecules: from about 40,000 (n about 175) up to about 350,000 (n about 1,300)
Assay Not less than 7% and not more than 19% of ethoxyl groups (-OC2H5), and not less than 10% and not more than 38% of oxyethylene groups (-OCH2CH2-), on the dried and salt-free basis.
DESCRIPTION Hygroscopic white or slightly yellowish or greyish, odourless granules or fine powder.
FUNCTIONAL USES Emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener
