Ethyl methyl cellulose
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ethyl methyl cellulose is a thickener, vegetable gum, foaming agent and emulsifier.
R=H or CH3 or CH2CH3 | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Other names
Methyl ethyl cellulose; Ethyl methyl ether of cellulose; E465; INS No. 465 | |
| Identifiers | |
| Abbreviations | MEC |
| ChemSpider |
|
| E number | E465 (thickeners, ...) |
| Properties | |
| [C6H7O2(OH)x(OCH3)y(OC2H5)z]n, z = 0.57-0.8, y = 0.2-0.4, x = 3-(x+y)[1] | |
| Molar mass | 30000-40000 g/mol[1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
| |
Description
Chemically, it is a derivative of cellulose with ethyl and methyl groups attached by ether linkages.[citation needed]
It can be prepared by treatment of cellulose with dimethyl sulfate and ethyl chloride in the presence of an alkali.[1]
