Since acetone dissolves nitrocellulose, It could theoritically speed up the nitration, as it would bring the less nitrated chains into solution
allowing complete nitration faster. Also I imagine the inner chains of a cellulose fiber have worse access to the nitrating agent, so the removal of
outer layers of NC would improve penetration of the reactants.
I'll give it a try, especially since my previous NC syntheses resulted in a product that leaves too much ash, unless there's additional safety
concerns over normal nitration (beside using flammable VO solvent) TheMrbunGee - 2-4-2020 at 07:30
Not an nitrating expert, but I am pretty sure, that acetone will react with nitrating mix, probably causing runaway. Herr Haber - 2-4-2020 at 07:36
Mhh, probably not.
Low % NC doesnt dissolve that well in acetone.
Urbanski has a fantastic chapter on NC, what solvents are used in different conditions.
Speaking about conditions: From memory, an "ideal" nitrating mixture should contain around 8-12% of water at the beginning of the nitration.
That's pretty much concentrated acid that you'll need to cool a lot if you want to avoid a runaway with acetone.
First, by cooling that much you'll be slowing the reaction rate
Second, you'll make the mixture more viscous probably hindering the effect you are trying to obtain.rockyit98 - 2-4-2020 at 20:39
why not Xylene ? after all it's called and sold as "NC Thinner" for that reason.Herr Haber - 3-4-2020 at 13:48
Wouldnt you be better off trying another type of cellulose ?
I've never tried MCC but reports seem to indicate it doesnt burn as well as expected. It might be good for lacquer though.
If achievable I dont think your idea would really or only make the reaction much faster but maybe make it more complete resulting in higher nitrated
NC.
Humm... I think I'll read that chapter in Urbanski's book.Metacelsus - 3-4-2020 at 16:17
