34 Cellulose 



cellulose to lignone groups in the lignocellulose complex, by later 

 investigations of certain lignocellulose esters. 



The benzoate prepared by treating with benzoyl chloride in 

 presence of alkali is a monobenzoate, calculated to the simplest 

 empirical formula C ]2 Hi 8 O 9 . The benzoyl group enters the 

 cellulose residue ; the lignone is unaffected, and when removed by 

 the ordinary treatment a cellulose benzoate is left as the end 

 product. 



On boiling the lignocellulose with acetic anhydride, an acetate 

 is formed, which analyses as a diacetate of the empirical unit 

 C 12 H 18 O 9 . The complete statistics, however, appear to show 

 that the ester reaction is attended by internal dehydration through 

 interaction of other groups of the complex. The lignone group, 

 however, retains its general characteristics, and may be removed 

 by similar treatment as the original, and the cellulose is separated 

 in the form of a diacetate (C 12 ). 



The benzoate (supra) also reacts with acetic anhydride, and 

 the proportion of acetyl groups entering is not affected by the 

 presence of the benzoyl group. 



These ester reactions taking place in the cellulose group, it is 

 further established that the lignone complex contains no OH 

 groups reactive under these conditions, and also that there are no 

 free aldehydic groups. 



These reactions are of use in the investigation of the ultimate 

 constitutional problems which continue to engage the attention of 

 the authors, and to which it is hoped other chemists will be 

 attracted by the publication of these evidences of more definite 

 progress. 



