proved to be a
cellulose acetate. The following numbers were obtained on
saponification:

Acetic acid Cellulose
31.6 70.0
30.9 68.8
Calc. for diacetate on C_{12}H_{20}O_{10} 29.4 79.9

The interpretation of these numbers appears to be this: in the original
reaction with the lignocellulose it is the cellulose residue which is
acetylated, and at the same time condensed. The cellulose residue which
undergoes condensation is not of the normal constitution, since the
normal cellulose is acetylated without condensation (see p. 41). On
saponification a portion of the cellulose, in again combining with
water, is hydrolysed to soluble products. The lignone group as it exists
in the lignocellulose has no free OH groups, and probably no free
aldehydic groups such as would react with the anhydride. Such groups
may, however, be originally present, and may take part in the internal
condensations which have been shown to occur. The furfural constants of
the lignocellulose are unaffected by the acetylation and condensation.
The hygroscopic moisture of the product is lowered from 10-11 p.ct. in
the original to 4.5 p.ct. The ferric ferricyanide reaction is inhibited
by the disappearance of the reactive groups, upon which this curious and
characteristic phenomenon depends (1st ed.).

~Acetylation of Benzoates.~--The cellulose dibenzoate (C_{12} basis) and
the jute monobenzoate were acetylated under comparative conditions The
results were as follows:

C_{12} basis
Cellulose dibenzoate Jute monobenzoate
Calc. for Calc. for
Found diacetate on Found diacetate on
Ester reaction dibenzoate monobenzoate
Yield 111 p.ct. 115 p.ct. 124 p.ct. 120 p.ct.

Saponification {Cellulose}
{Lignocellulose} 53.5 52.6 59.8 61.9
NaOH combining 21.3 23.9 28.4 24.3

From these results it would appear that the number of acetyl groups
entering the benzoates is the same as with the unbenzoylated fibres, the
benzoyl has no influence upon the hydroxyls as against the acetyl.