[Aviaf]

I'm trying to get cellulose acetate back to cellulose.

Would it be reasonable to assume I can just do a saponification with NaOH in Water with heat?

And what concentration of NaOH and what temperature would be reasonable for a timely but stable reaction?

Are there other groups that may be affected?

So basically reversing this process


Thanks

[csrscience.com]

Likely you'll get some hydrolysis of the cellulose as well but I think that is probably the best method to go about it. Make sure the CA is very fine, and reflux. Perhaps using an ethanol solution w/NaOH might be better, but I don't know why - I'd look into it though.

What is your interest in doing this?