Compound Celluloses 



195 



ment with alkali there is a complete resolution into cellulose 

 (insoluble) and soluble derivatives of the lignone complex. 



The coniferous woods, on the other hand, react somewhat 

 differently, the chief distinctions being that the wood-substance 

 is changed in colour to an orange red, and the product does not 

 give any marked colour reaction with sodium sulphite. In 

 both cases the percentage of chlorine combining with the ligno- 

 cellulose is the same as with jute, viz. 8*0 p.ct. 



Comparative experiments upon four typical woods gave the 

 following statistics of reaction with chlorine. The results are 

 given in terms of the lignocellulose proper, i.e. the residue from 

 exhaustion with the alkaline solution (i p.ct. NaOH). 



These must be regarded as preliminary results, but they serve 

 to confirm the view we have taken of the general and close 

 similarity of the woods to the typical jute lignocellulose. It has 

 not been determined whether the whole of the * acidity ' developed 

 in the above chlorinations is due to HC1, or to acid products (e.g. 

 acetic acid) split off from the lignocellulose. 



The chlorinated derivatives have not been closely investi- 

 gated. The authors have isolated one of these products ob- 

 tained from a Spanish mahogany, the chlorination being pre- 

 ceded by the usual treatment with boiling dilute alkali (i p.ct 

 NaOH). This product was found to contain 30-4 p.ct. Cl. 



In regard to investigations involving the chlorination of 

 these lignocelluloses, two points must be borne in mind : (i) As 

 regards preparation of the material. To ensure a complete 

 reaction the wood must be reduced to the finest possible 

 shavings. (2) In regard to the preliminary treatment with 



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