Amyloid.—Strong sulphuric acid acts upon cellulose and converts it into a gelatinous semi-transparent substance to which the name amyloid has been given. (See Parchment Paper.)
Ballistite.—A smokeless powder composed of nearly equal parts of nitro-glycerine and nitrated cellulose, with a small quantity of diphenylamine.
Carbohydrate.—A large number of important commercial products, such as cellulose, sugars, starches, and gums, consist of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, associated in varying proportions. The ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in these compounds is always 2:1 (H2 and O).
| Cellulose | C6H10O5. |
| Sugar | C6H12O6. |
| Dextrin n | (C6H10O5). |
To all these substances the term carbohydrate is applied.
Celloxin (Tollens).—A substance having the stated composition C8H6O6 considered to be present in oxidised derivatives of cellulose.
Celluloid.—This well-known material is made by incorporating camphor with nitro-cellulose, a plastic ivory-like substance being produced. In practice the process is as follows:—Wood pulp or wood pulp paper is saturated with a mixture of sulphuric acid (five parts) and nitric acid (two parts), which produces nitrated cellulose. The product is washed, ground, and mixed with camphor, the mastication being effected by heavy iron rollers. The mass thickens and can be removed in the form of thick sheets. These sheets are submitted to great pressure between steam-heated plates. The cake obtained is cut into sheets of any desired thickness, seasoned by prolonged storage, and afterwards worked up into boxes, combs, brush-backs, and many other domestic articles of a useful and ornamental character.
Cellulose Acetate (Cross).—If cellulose is heated with acetic anhydride at 180° C., viscous solutions of the acetates are obtained. The process yielding a definite acetate of commercial value is based upon the following reaction:—100 parts of cellulose prepared from the sulpho-carbonate are mixed with 120 parts of zinc acetate, heated and dried at 105° C. Acetic anhydride is added in small quantity, and 100 parts of acetyl chloride. At a temperature of 50° C. the mixture becomes liquid, and cellulose acetate is subsequently obtained as a white powder.