Like cellulose, jute dissolves in cuprammonia, and is similarly acted upon by the concentrated acids. By nitric acids it is converted into nitric ethers, which are yellow coloured, but in other respects closely resemble the pyroxylins. They are entirely soluble in acetone.

Jute differs from cellulose in the following respects: its percentage composition (excluding ash) is

C47·048·0per cent.
H 5·9 5·7„
O47·146·3„

It is harsher to the touch, and its colour varies from grey to brown; it combines directly with the greater number of the organic colouring matters, removing them from solution, i.e., becoming dyed with them; it is coloured deep yellow by immersion in a solution of aniline sulphate; moistened with a solution of phloroglucol and afterwards with hydrochloric acid, it gives a deep red coloration; with pyrrol also in presence of hydrochloric acid it gives a deep carmine colour; it is attacked and partially converted into soluble products by a number of reagents which have no action, under similar conditions, upon cellulose. Certain of these we must consider more in detail.

Iodine.

Bromine.

Chlorine.

After dissolving away this compound by exhaustive treatment with alcohol, the fibre still gives a brilliant reaction with sodium sulphite, showing that a portion is still held back in combination with the cellulose, or cellulose residue. On treating the residual fibre with boiling nitric acid, a considerable quantity of chloropicrin CCl3NO2 is formed, and it is probable that the union of the molecule C19H18Cl4O9 with the cellulose may be effected by the aldehyde[5] molecule CCl3COH; each group being contained in the original lignocellulose, the action of the chlorine tending to disturb the atomic equilibrium and to rearrange the atoms into groups, which in their modified form have less mutual coherence. If the chlorinated fibre be directly boiled with the sodium sulphite solution, its resolution into cellulose and soluble non-cellulose derivatives is complete: and this treatment constitutes the most simple and rapid method of estimating the cellulose in lignified tissues. It is only necessary finally to wash the cellulose with hot water containing a little acetic acid (when placed in a funnel it acts as its own filter), and then with, alcohol, when it may be dried and weighed. In order to ensure the resolution of the fibre by a single chlorination (in the case of jute, and the like), it must, previously to exposure to the gas, be boiled in a dilute (1 per cent.) solution of potassic hydrate. In the case of wood and other more resistant structures, it will be necessary to repeat the chlorination.

[5] Furfural may also be isolated from the chlorinated jute; the survival of this aldehyde is noteworthy.

The percentage of cellulose yielded by this method is, in the case of jute, usually 2–3 per cent. higher than by the bromine method. Moreover, if the temperature be maintained at 0° C. (32° F.), by placing the fibre, which is to be exposed to the action of the gas, in contact with pounded ice, the percentage may be still further increased, amounting {20} in some cases to 80–82. Corresponding to this increased yield, the cellulose is obtained in long filaments. It will be seen, therefore, that the cellulose isolated by chemical treatment from a compound cellulose is affected both in character and quantity by the process employed, and it is affected in a much greater degree than the cellulose itself exposed to the same treatment, after isolation. The composition of the cellulose obtained in this way differs from that of celluloses, such as cotton, which exist in the plant in an isolated and more fully formed condition; it contains 43 per cent. C and 6 per cent. H, corresponding to the formula n [3 C6H10O5H2O.] The composition of this cellulose will be seen to be identical with that of certain of the oxycelluloses previously described; and its properties are, moreover, those of an oxycellulose. These facts go to show that the jute fibre substance, and the substances allied to it, are compounds of cellulose with other molecules, i.e. they are compound celluloses. They may be conveniently grouped under the term ligno-cellulose.