ETHYL CELLULOSE

PRODUCTION
Prepared by agitating alkali cellulose with ethyl chloride et
60C for several hours.

R(ONa) + C2H5Cl ------- R-O-C2H5

STRUCTURE:
NONPROPRIETARY NAMES
BP: Ethylcellulose
PhEur: Ethylcellulosum
USPNF: Ethylcellulose

SYNONYMS
Aquacoat ECD;
Aqualon; E462;
Ethocel;
Surelease

CHEMICAL NAME AND CAS REGISTRY NUMBER

Cellulose ethyl ether [9004-57-3]

FUNCTIONAL CATEGORY:
Coating agent; flavoring fixative; tablet binder; tablet filler;
viscosity-increasing agent.
HISTORY

Ethyl cellulose was first developed in Germany in 1912; it

did not make its appearance in country till 1916 and 1917
when patents were issued.

Its manufacture remained static, however until as late as

1935, when the Hercules Powder company began working
with it.

Two years later the Dow Chemical Company began

manufacturing ethyl cellulose under the trade name of
Ethocel
PROPERTIES
DESCRIPTION:
tasteless, free-flowing, white to light tancolored powders

SOLUBILITY:
Insoluble in water, glycerin and propylene glycol and soluble
in some organic solvents such as alcohol, ether, ketone, ester,
aromatic hydrocarbon.

STABLITY:
Stable against light, heat, oxygen, wetness and alkali, dilute
acid and salting liquid.
It undergoes oxidative degradation in the presence of
sunlight or UV light at elevated temperatures. Use of
antioxidant and chemical additives that absorb light in the
230–340nm range can prevent it.
COMPATIBLE WITH:
Many celluloses, resin and nearly all plasticizers.

INCOMPATIBLE WITH:
Incompatible with paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax.

MOISTURE CONTENT:
It absorbs very little water from humid air or during
immersion, and that small amount evaporates readily

OTHER PROPERTIES:
Density-0.4 g/cm3
Specific gravity- 1.07- 1.18,
Glass Transition Temperature-129–1338C(26)
Non flammable, Flexible
ETHYL CELLULOSE PLASTICS
Thermoplastics,
Toughest,
Lightest ,
Ease of molding,
light weight,
good dielectric strength,
Retention of flexibility over a wide range of temp.
SAFETY
Nontoxic, Non allergenic and Nonirritating material.
Because ethyl cellulose is not metabolized
it is not recommended for parenteral products; parenteral
use may be harmful to the kidneys.

As ethylcellulose is not considered to be a health hazard, the

WHO has not specified an acceptable daily intake.(29)
LD50 (rabbit, skin): >5 g/kg(30)
LD50 (rat, oral): >5 g/kg
USES
Tablet adhesive and thin film coating material.
Retarding agent for aggregate for various types of pills.
As microcapsule material
Dispersing agent, stabilizer and water retention agent.
Widely used in paints for various products, such as wooden
products (furnitures), metal surfaces, paper, rubber,
thermoplastic products and integrated circuits
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
It is important to prevent fine dust clouds of ethyl cellulose
from reaching potentially explosive levels in the air.
Ethyl cellulose is combustible.
Ethyl cellulose powder may be an irritant to the
eyes and eye protection should be worn.

REGULATORY STATUS
GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe.
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Guide (oral
capsules, suspensions and tablets; topical emulsions and
vaginal preparations).
Included in non-parenteral medicines licensed in
Europe. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-
medicinal Ingredients.