A process for the preparation of low-viscosity cellulose ethers by acidic - oxidative degradation of ground and dried cellulose ethers.

摘要

The invention relates to a method for the depolymerisation of cellulose ethers by means of acid oxidative decomposition. The ground and dried cellulose ether is first gassed with gaseous acid or is sprayed with the solution of an acid, and is brought into contact with an oxidant or a solution of an oxidant. It is then depolymerised at temperatures of between 50 and 120 DEG C for between 0.01 and 10 hours and the acid is neutralised by adding a base. The water content of the reaction mixture during the depolymerisation must not exceed 10 wt. %.