Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound. We used to see nitrocellulose used in old nitrate films for cameras. We also see it used as gun cotton.

Nitrocellulose is formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent.

It is also called cellulose nitrate. It's a naturally occurring polymer that comes from wood pulp or the fiber from cotton seeds. It consists of repeating glucose that form: It has been used to reduce degradation under exposure to light and heat. It is transported in water or alcohol to reduce its risk of combustion.

nitric acid [|ester] of [|cellulose] (a glucose polymer). It is usually formed by the action of a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids on purified cotton or wood pulp. The extent of nitration and degradation (breaking down) of the cellulose is carefully controlled in order to obtain the desired product. When cotton is treated so that nearly all of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose molecule are esterified, but with little or no degradation of the molecular structure, the nitrocellulose formed is called guncotton. Guncotton resembles cotton in its appearance. Extremely flammable, it explodes when detonated and is used in the manufacture of explosives. Guncotton is insoluble in such common solvents as water, chloroform, ether, and ethanol. If the nitration is not carried to completion (the point at which about two thirds of the hydroxyl groups are esterified), the soluble cellulose nitrate [|pyroxylin] is formed.

Uses Nitrocellulose lacquer is also used as an aircraft dope, painted onto fabric-covered aircraft to tauten and provide protection to the material.