Thermal and structural properties of tri-O-substituted cellulose ethers

Tri‐O‐substituted cellulose ethers prepared by the use of SO2–diethylamine (DEA)–dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and powdered sodium hydroxide were characterized by measurement of melting points and degradation points and by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and X‐ray analyses. Their thermal and structural characteristics were ascertained to be dependent on the kinds of substituents. Among the ethers examined, four kinds of arylmethylcelluloses showed the characteristics of thermotropic liquid crystals (smectic). Tri‐O‐α‐naphthylmethyl‐cellulose showed the three transformations due to a solid–smectic phase, a smectic–nematic phase, and a nematic–isotropic phase transformation. This thermotropic liquid crystal was enantiotropic below 200°C.