Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a synthetic polymer made of natural cellulose by chemical modification. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a natural cellulose derivative; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose production and synthetic polymer are different; its primary material is cellulose, a natural polymer compound. Because of the unique structure of natural cellulose, cellulose cannot react with an etherifying agent. But after the treatment of the swelling agent, the strong hydrogen bond between and within the molecular chain is destroyed, and the activity of the hydroxyl group is released into a reactive alkali cellulose; after the etherifying agent reaction – OH group into – OR group to get the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The properties of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose depend on the type, quantity and distribution of substituents. The classification of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is also based on the kind of substituents, etherification degree, solubility and related application performance to the category. According to the type of substituent group on the molecular chain, it can be divided into the single ether and mixed ether. We usually use MC for single ether and HPMC for mixed ether. Methyl hydroxypropyl methylcellulose MC is the product of the glucose unit on the hydroxyl group replaced by methoxy. The structural formula is [C O H7O2 (OH) 3-h (OCH3) h]x. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose HPMC is the product of the hydroxyl group on the unit replaced by methoxy and the other part by hydroxypropyl.
The structural formula is [C6H7O2 (OH) 3-m-n (OCH3) m[OCH2CH (OH) CH3] n]x and hydroxyethyl methyl hydroxypropyl methylcellulose HEMC, which are the main varieties widely used and sold in the market at present. In terms of solubility, it can be divided into ionic and non-ionic types. Water – soluble non – ionic hydroxypropyl methylcellulose mainly consists of alkyl ether and hydroxyalkyl ether, two varieties. Ionic CMC is primarily used in synthetic detergent textile printing, food dyeing, and oil mining. Instead of ionic MC, HPMC, HEMC and others are mainly used in building materials, latex coatings, medicine, daily chemical and other aspects. As a thickening agent, water retention agent, stabilizer, dispersant, film forming agent used. If you are looking for high quality, high purity and cost-effective Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or if you require the latest price of Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, please feel free to email contact mis-asia.
