Patent AT-E399798-T1: [Translated] CELLULOSE DERIVATIVES HAVING GEL-LIKE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

Cellulose ethers with gel-like rheological properties in aqueous solution are produced by irreversibly crosslinking the cellulose ether obtained by reacting alkalized cellulose with alkylene oxide and alkyl halide. Cellulose ethers with gel-like rheological properties in aqueous solution (I), obtained by: (a) alkalizing cellulose with aqueous alkali hydroxide solution (II) in presence of a suspending agent (III); (b) reacting with alkylene oxide(s), reacting with an alkyl halide contained in (III); (c) reacting (subsequently or simultaneously) with 0.0001-0.05 equivalents (eq.) crosslinking agent (i.e. moles per mol anhydroglucose units (AGU)); and (d) separating the irreversibly crosslinked derivative from the reaction mixture (optionally after further addition of (II) and/or alkylating agent), optionally purifying and then drying the product.. An Independent claim is also included for a method as described above for the production of (I).