Labile products of interaction of cellulose with nitrogen oxide compounds

Data concerning the conditions and kinetics of the formation, the methods for identification and isolation, the chemical and physical properties, and the crystal structure of cellulose trinitrite are presented. The conditions governing the formation of Knecht' sorption compound and other unstable crystalline products in the cellulose–N₂O₄ system are also discussed. The primary role of labile derivatives in the manifestation of polymorphism by cellulose on its regeneration from these compounds is demonstrated. The causes of the amorphisation of cellulose, which may occur in these systems, are examined. Examples of a rational combination of several functions of the reaction medium and of the labile nitrogen-containing compound present in it in the preparation of other materials of practical importance from polysaccharides (sulfate and acetate esters and structurally and chemically modified powdered forms of cellulose) are presented. The bibliography includes 160 references.