Compound Celluloses 149 



Hypobromites. The hypobromites of the alkalis attack 

 the lignocelluloses profoundly ; amongst the final products of 

 decomposition bromoform and carbon tetrabromide are ob- 

 tained in some quantity. (Compare N. Collie, J. Chem. Soc. 

 1894, 262, which contains the results of a general investiga- 

 tion of the reaction.) 



In regard to the alkaline oxidants it may be said generally, 

 in conclusion, that they attack the non-cellulose constituents 

 of the lignocelluloses in greater degree, but their action extends 

 to the cellulose also. They are therefore of little present use 

 as * pioneer reagents,' and have moreover secured no syste- 

 matic investigation. 



Other Decompositions of Lignocellulose. There 

 are a number of decompositions remaining to be described 

 which do not fall within any group classification : these will 

 now be dealt with in the order of their importance. 



Interaction of lignocdlulose with sulphites and bisulphites. - 

 Jute, when heated at high temperatures with solutions of the 

 alkaline sulphites, or of the bisulphites of the alkaline earths, 

 is directly resolved into cellulose (insoluble) and soluble com- 

 pounds of the lignone complex with the sulphites. A similar 

 treatment of pine-wood, attended by the same results, is 

 the basis of the now highly developed * sulphite wood pulp ' 

 industry. The process and the reactions upon which it is 

 based will be described in detail in a later section ; and as the 

 general principles apply to the lignocellulose with which we 

 are dealing, it is unnecessary to anticipate the fuller treatment 

 of the subject. 



The theory of the reaction is deducible from the following 

 considerations : The lignocellulose when heated with water 

 only, at high temperatures (140-160), is profoundly attacked ; 

 a considerable proportion of the fibre-substance passes into 

 solution (hydrolysis), and the residue of disintegrated fibre 



