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CAS Number : 9004-67-5
EC Number : 618-391-7
Molecular Formula : C20H38O11
Molecular Weight : 454.5
ECHA InfoCard : 100.115.188
Other names :
-Cellulose, methyl ether; methylated cellulose; methylcellulose; E461
Methyl cellulose (or methylcellulose) is a compound derived from cellulose.
Methyl Cellulose is sold under a variety of trade names and is used as a thickener and emulsifier in various food and cosmetic products, and also as a bulk-forming laxative.
Like cellulose, it is not digestible, not toxic, and not an allergen.
Methyl Cellulose is the methyl ether of cellulose with laxative activity.
Methyl Cellulose is not absorbed by the intestines and attracts large amounts of water into the colon, thereby increasing viscosity, producing a softer and bulkier stool and stimulating the constriction of intestinal smooth muscles.
Methyl Cellulose is used as an emulsifying and suspending agent in cosmetics, pharmaceutics and the chemical industry.
Methyl Cellulose is used therapeutically as a bulk laxative.
Methyl Cellulose polymer consisting of numerous linked glucose molecules used as a stabiliser, thickener and emulsifier for foodstuffs and cosmetics.
The Degree of Substitution (DS) of a given form of methyl cellulose is defined as the average number of substituted hydroxyl groups per glucose with a theoretical maximum of 3, however more typical values are 1.3 2.6.
Methyl cellulose is a hydrophilic white powder in pure form and dissolves in cold (but not in hot) water, forming a clear viscous solution or gel.
It is available under a variety of trade names as a treatment for constipation.
Like cellulose, it is not digestible, not toxic, and not allergenic
Use and Manufacturing of Methyl Cellulose
Used as thickener and suspending agent in latex paints, paint removers, detergents, and hard surface cleaners; as a protective colloid in textile inks and vinyl chloride polymerization; as a binder, thickener, and water retention aid in various building products; in adhesives used for tanning; as a general-purpose food additive; in pharmaceutical tablets and formulations; in wallpaper paste; for slip casts in ceramics; in cosmetic creams and lotions; as a protective colloid in water based paints (prevents pigment flocculation); for film and sheeting; as a substitute for water-soluble gums; to render paper greaseproof; and as a laxative
Uses
Methyl cellulose has a wide range of uses.
Medical
Constipation
Methyl cellulose is used to treat constipation.
Effects generally occur within three days.
It is taken by mouth and is recommended with sufficient water.
Side effects may include abdominal pain.
Methyl Cellulose is classified as a bulk forming laxative.
Methyl Cellulose works by increasing the amount of stool present which improves intestinal contractions.
Methyl Cellulose is available over the counter.
Methyl Cellulose is sold under the brand name Citrucel among others.
Artificial tears and saliva
The lubricating property of methylcellulose is of particular benefit in the treatment of dry eyes.
Solutions containing methyl cellulose or similar cellulose derivatives are used as substitute for tears or saliva if the natural production of these fluids is disturbed.
Medication manufacturing
Methyl cellulose is used in the manufacture of drug capsules; its edible and nontoxic properties provide a vegetarian alternative to the use of gelatin.
Consumer products
Thickener and emulsifier
Methyl cellulose is occasionally added to hair shampoos, tooth pastes and liquid soaps, to generate their characteristic thick consistency.
This is also done for foods, for example ice cream or croquette.
Methyl cellulose is also an important emulsifier, preventing the separation of two mixed liquids because it is an emulsion stabilizer.
Food
The E number of methyl cellulose as food additive is E461. E464 is hydroxypropylcellulose and more soluble in water.
Methyl cellulose, as a gel, has the unique property of setting when hot and melting when cold.
Methyl cellulose is used as an ingredient in some meat analogues that are intended to replicate the texture of meat.
Lubricant
Methyl cellulose may be used in personal lubricant.
Construction materials
Methyl cellulose finds a major application as a performance additive in construction materials.
Methyl cellulose is added to mortar dry mixes to improve the mortar's properties such as workability, open and adjustment time, water retention, viscosity, adhesion to surfaces etc.
Construction grade methyl cellulose is not to be identified with food and pharmaceutical grade methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, as it may be cross-linked with glyoxal for easy dispersion in water.
The construction materials can be cement-based or gypsum-based. Notable examples of dry mixture mortars which utilize methyl cellulose include tile adhesives, EIFS, insulating plasters, hand-trowelled and machine-sprayed plaster, stucco, self-leveling flooring, extruded cement panels, skim coats, joint & crack fillers, and tile grouts.
Typical usage is about 0.2% – 0.5% of total dry powder weight for dry mixtures.
Derivatives of methyl cellulose which improve performance characteristics include hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC).
These derivatives typically improve the characteristics such as water retention, vertical surface slip resistance, open time, etc.
Glue and binder
Methyl cellulose can be employed as a mild glue which can be washed away with water.
This may be used in the fixing of delicate pieces of art as well as in book conservation to loosen and clean off old glue from spines and bookboards.
Methyl cellulose is the main ingredient in many wallpaper pastes.
Methyl cellulose is also used as a binder in pastel crayons and also as a binder in medications.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is an FDA-approved water-soluble adhesive, has been used in various wet-adhesion applications in construction products, paints, and drug delivery for 70 years.
HPMC adheres strongly to all wet surfaces, regardless of hydrophobicity.
Paint
Methyl cellulose is used as a rheological modifier in paint to prevent 'sagging'.
Paper and textile sizing
Methyl cellulose is used as sizing in the production of papers and textiles as it protects the fibers from absorbing water or oil.
When applied to several pieces of paper, methyl cellulose will bind the layers together, often to create a more durable or multicolored sheet.
In addition, origami artists use it to coat their origami models, as the compound will stiffen and protect the paper against time.
Dust control
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC) is used as a binder in dust control technologies.
They mitigate fugitive dust released from arid/semi-arid area as well as improve commercial face mask when used as a filtering material.
Cell culture
Methyl cellulose is also used in cell culture to study viral replication.
Methyl cellulose is dissolved in the same nutrient-containing medium in which cells are normally grown.
A single layer of cells is grown on a flat surface, then infected with a virus for a short time.
The strength of the viral sample used will determine how many cells get infected during this time.
The thick methyl cellulose medium is then added on top of the cells in place of normal liquid medium.
As the viruses replicate in the infected cells, they are able to spread between cells whose membranes touch each other, but are trapped when they enter the methyl cellulose.
Only cells closely neighboring an infected cell will become infected and die.
This leaves small regions of dead cells called plaques in a larger background of living uninfected cells.
The number of plaques formed is determined by the strength of the original sample.
Bacterial and protozoal motility inhibitor
Aqueous methyl cellulose solutions have been used to slow bacterial and protozoal cell motility for closer inspection.
Changing the amount of methyl cellulose in solution permits the adjustment of the solution's viscosity.
Stem cell differentiation
Methyl cellulose is used in the most common approaches to quantify multiple or single lineage-committed hematopoietic progenitors, called colony-forming cells (CFCs) or colony-forming units (CFUs), in combination with culture supplements that promote their proliferation and differentiation, and allow the clonal progeny of a single progenitor cell to stay together and thus form a colony of more mature cells.
Chemistry
Methyl cellulose is a hydrophilic white powder in pure form and dissolves in cold (but not in hot) water, forming a clear viscous solution or gel.
Methyl cellulose is used as a buffer additive in capillary electrophoresis to control electroosmotic flow for improved separations.
Chemistry of Methyl cellulose
Methyl cellulose does not occur naturally and is synthetically produced by heating cellulose with caustic solution (e.g. a solution of sodium hydroxide) and treating it with methyl chloride.
In the substitution reaction that follows, the hydroxyl residues (-OH functional groups) are replaced by methoxide (-OCH3 groups).
Different kinds of methyl cellulose can be prepared depending on the number of hydroxyl groups substituted.
Methyl cellulose is a polymer consisting of numerous linked glucose molecules, each of which exposes three hydroxyl groups.
The Degree of Substitution (DS) of a given form of methyl cellulose is defined as the average number of substituted hydroxyl groups per glucose.
The theoretical maximum is thus a DS of 3.0, however more typical values are 1.3–2.6.
Different methyl cellulose preparations can also differ in the average length of their polymer backbones.
Solubility and temperature of Methyl cellulose
Methyl cellulose has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between 40 °C and 50 °C.
At temperatures below the LCST, it is readily soluble in water; above the LCST, it is not soluble, which has a paradoxical effect that heating a saturated solution of methyl cellulose will turn it solid, because methyl cellulose will precipitate out.
The temperature at which this occurs depends on DS-value, with higher DS-values giving lower solubility and lower precipitation temperatures because the polar hydroxyl groups are masked.
Preparing a solution of methyl cellulose with cold water is difficult however: as the powder comes into contact with water, a gel layer forms around it, dramatically slowing the diffusion of water into the powder; hence, the inside remains dry. A better way is to first mix the powder with hot water, so that the methyl cellulose particles are well dispersed (and so have a much higher effective surface area) in the water, and cool down this dispersion while stirring, leading to the much more rapid dissolution of those particles.
Methyl cellulose is a non-ionic cellulose ether polymer based on cellulose.
Cellulose is a natural polymer extracted from refined cotton linter and provided as a free flowing powder.
Belonging to the cellulose ether group, HPMC is mainly used in building materials, such as tile adhesives and plasters, as rheological modifiers and water retaining agents.
Methyl cellulose has good retention, thickening property, Stable chemical properties effectively resist alkali attack.
Specifications of Methyl cellulose
Appearance : white or off-white
Moisture : ≤5 %
Ash : ≤5 %
Methoxy content : 19-24 %
Hydroxypropyl content : 4-12 %
pH value : 6-8
Viscosity : 400-75,000 mPa.s (Brookfield RV, 2%)
Methyl cellulose (MC) can be seen as a generic term for mixed etherification cellulose ethers.
Common to these cellulose ethers is the methoxylation.
Additionally, the conversation can be achieved either with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide.
Methyl cellulose (MC) is the most important commercial cellulose ether.
It is also the simplest derivative where methoxy groups have replaced the hydroxyl groups.
The most important properties of this nonionic polymer are its water solubility and its gelation when exposed to heat.
Although soluble in water, films made from methyl cellulose usually retain their strength and do not become tacky when exposed to humidity.
Polymer films made of methyl cellulose have excellent strength (60 - 70 MPa) and low elongation (5 - 15 %) at room temperature (75°F) but their strength decreases rapidly with increasing temperature.
Methyl cellulose also has excellent UV, oil, and solvent resistance.
The main application of methyl cellulose is water-soluble films used for packaging products that dissolve in water like medical capsules, bubble bath, tooth pastes, detergent powders, rat poison and bread dough.
Other important uses of methyl cellulose include ceramic tile adhesives and grout formulations, wallpaper adhesives, shampoos, cosmetics and a number of other products where thermal gelation, viscosity adjustment, and water solubility is required.
Uses of Methyl cellulose
Methyl cellulose is used to treat constipation.
Methyl cellulose increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines.
Methyl cellulose also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass.Psyllium, one type of bulk-forming laxative, has also been used along with a proper diet to treat high cholesterol.
Methyl Cellulose (methylcellulose) is an adhesive with a wide variety of applications.
Commonly used as a bookbinding adhesive for paper, as well as sizing papers and fabrics, thickening water baths for marbling paper, used to loosen and clean off old glue from spines and book boards, or added to PVA to slow down its drying time.
The methyl ether of cellulose, prepared from wood pulp or cotton by treatment with alkali and methylation of the alkali cellulose with methyl chloride.
The article of commerce can be specified further by viscosity.
IDENTIFICATION of Methyl Cellulose
Solubility
Swelling in water, producing a clear to opalescent, viscous, colloidal solution; insoluble in ethanol, ether and chloroform; soluble in glacial acetic acid.
Foam test
An 0.1% solution of the sample is shaken vigorously.
A layer of foam appears. (This test permits the distinction of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose from other cellulose ethers.)
Precipitate formation
To 5 ml of an 0.5% solution of the sample, add 5 ml of a 5% solution of copper sulfate or of aluminium sulfate.
No precipitate appears. (This test permits the distinction of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose from other cellulose ethers.)
Methyl Cellulose is a non-digestible, non-toxic chemical compound derived from cellulose.
In its pure form the hydrophilic white powder dissolves in cold water to form a clear viscous solution or gel.
Methyl Cellulose does not dissolve in hot water.
The versatile compound is sold under a variety of trade names and has a wide range of consumer and industrial applications.
Methyl Celluloses molecular formula is C29H54O16 and its CAS number is 9004-67-5.
Methyl cellulose is synthetically produced by heating cellulose with a caustic solution (e.g. a solution of sodium hydroxide) and treating it with methyl chloride.
The compound does not occur naturally.
Different kinds of methyl cellulose (also known as methylcellulose) can be prepared depending on the number of hydroxyl groups that are substituted.
The variety of consumer and industrial uses for Methyl cellulose include thickener and emulsifier in hair shampoos, toothpaste, and liquid soaps; as a performance additive in construction materials like mortar and other dry mixes, adhesives, plasters and stucco; mild glue; wallpaper pastes; as a binder in pastel crayons and medications; and in chemistry as a buffer additive in capillary electrophoresis.
First-aid measures of Methyl cellulose
Inhalation :
Remove to fresh air.
Eye contact :
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids.
Consult a physician.
Skin contact :
Wash skin with soap and water.
Ingestion :
Clean mouth with water and drink afterwards plenty of water.
Substance identity
EC / List no.: 618-391-7
CAS no.: 9004-67-5
Hazard classification & labelling of Methyl Cellulose
According to the majority of notifications provided by companies to ECHA in CLP notifications no hazards have been classified.
Methyl Cellulose indicated, in 2009, as being intended to be registered by at least one company in the EEA.
Methyl Cellulose for which classification and labeling data have been submitted to ECHA in a registration under REACH or notified by manufacturers or importers under CLP.
Such notifications are required for hazardous substances, as such or in mixtures, as well as for all substances subject to registration, regardless of their hazard.
Synonyms:
Cellulose, methyl ether
Methylcellulose
methylcellulose
(5R)-2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-5-[(2S)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxane
Cellulose methyl
CELLULOSE, METHYL ETHER
Cellulose, methyl ether
Methyl Cellulose
Methyl cellulose
Methylcellulose
Methylcellulose
2098627-58-6
39384-65-1
53568-34-6
71812-19-6
730985-58-7
88402-84-0
9004-67-5
99638-59-2
METHYL CELLULOSE
Methylcellulose
9004-67-5
MFCD00081763
(5R)-2,3,4-Trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-5-[(2S)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxane
Metilcellulosa
Adulsin
Bagolax
Bulkaloid
Cellapret
Cellogel
Cellogran
Cellothyl
Cellumeth
Cethylose
Cethytin
Cologel
Hydrolose
Mellose
Methulose
Napolone
Syncelose
Tylose
Viscol
Nicel
Methocel A
Bufapto methalose
Celacol M
Culminal MC
Methocel MC
Celacol MM
Celacol WA
Edisol M
Methocel CHG
Avicel SG
Tylose MF
Tylose SL
Celacol MMPR
Tylose SAP
Tylose TWA
Viscontran L52
Methocel 10
Methocel 15
Methyl cellulose-A
Mapolose M25
Metolose 60SH
Tylose A4S
USP methylcellulose
Benecel M 0
Celacol M20
Culminal K 42
Culminal MC 25S
Culminal MC 40
Culminal MC 60S
Mapolose 60SHS0
Methocel 181
Methocel 400
Methocel 400CPS
Methocel MC 25
Metolose SM 15
Tylose MH20
Tylose MH50
Benecel M 02
Benecel MO 42
Celacol M 20P
Celacol M450
Celacol MM 10P
Mapolose 60SH50
Methocel 4000
Methocel MC4000
Methocel SM 100
Metolose SM 100
MMTs-BTR
Tylose MH300
Tylose MH300P
Daicel 170
Methyl cellulose ether
Tylose 444
Methocel 4000CPS
Methocel A 4000
Cesca MC 25S
Celacol M 2500
Culminal MC 2000
Methocel MC 8000
Metilcellulosa [DCIT]
Metolose 60SH400
Metolose MC 8000
Metolose SM 4000
Tylose MH1000
Tylose MH2000
Tylose MH4000
Tylose SL 100
Tylose SL 400
Tylose SL 600
Cellulose, methyl ether
Cesca MC 400
Culminal MC 3000P
EMP-H
Methocel 4000 CPS
Benecel MC 4000PS
Culminal MC 3000PR
UNII-BI55GG2WLI
UNII-ME8KD9K6LP
Cesca C 8556
BI55GG2WLI
ME8KD9K6LP
Methylcellulose (1/2%)
Walsroder MC 20000S
UNII-MRJ667KA5E
UNII-NPU9M2E6L8
UNII-O0GN6F9B2Y
MRJ667KA5E
NPU9M2E6L8
O0GN6F9B2Y
UNII-4GFU244C4J
UNII-Z944H5SN0H
Metilcelulosa [INN-Spanish]
Methylcellulosum [INN-Latin]
Methylcellulose (4000 cps)
UNII-P0NTE48364
FEMA No. 2696
4GFU244C4J
CCRIS 3945
Z944H5SN0H
Hi-SM 4000
MC 4000 cP
Methylcellulose (4000 mpa.s)
FEMA 2696
HSDB 1198
MC 4000CP
Methylcellulose [USP:INN:JAN]
P0NTE48364
MCO 8000
Methyl cellulose, viscosity 15 cPs
MC 20000S
Methyl cellulose, viscosity 8000 cPs
SM-4000
Methyl cellulose, viscosity 300-560 cPs
Methyl cellulose, viscosity 1125-2100 cPs
(5R)-2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-5-{[(2S)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy}oxane
