Method for preparing very low viscosity cellulose ether and product

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing a very low viscosity cellulose ether having little or no discoloration and cellulose ether products resulting therefrom. The method includes contacting a cellulose ether with an oxidizing agent and an acid to form a mixture. The mixture is then heated and neutralized. The method includes adding a second oxidizing agent to the mixture and forming a very low viscosity cellulose ether having a viscosity from 1.2 cP to less than 2 cP. The very low viscosity ether may also have an APHA color value of 1 to 100.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising:
 a cellulose ether wherein a 2% by weight aqueous solution of the cellulose ether has a viscosity from 1.2 cP to less than 2 cP at 20° C.   
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15  comprising a coating solution of the cellulose ether, the cellulose ether present in an amount of at least 10% by weight of the coating solution. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the aqueous solution has an APHA value from 1 to 100. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the cellulose ether is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 
     
     
         19 . A composition comprising:
 a cellulose ether wherein a 2% by weight aqueous solution of the cellulose ether has a viscosity less than 3 cP at 20° C. and an APHA value from 1 to 100.   
     
     
         20 . A coated composition comprising:
 a substrate; and   a coating on the substrate, the coating comprising a very low viscosity cellulose ether wherein a 2% by weight aqueous solution of the cellulose ether has a viscosity from 1.2 cP to less than 2 cP at 20° C.   
     
     
         21 . The coated composition of  claim 20  wherein the coating comprises at least 10% by weight of the very low viscosity cellulose ether. 
     
     
         22 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The coated composition of  claim 20  wherein the coating is present in an amount from 1% to 20% by weight of the substrate. 
     
     
         26 . The coated composition of  claim 20  wherein the coating is a single layer. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the aqueous solution has an APHA value from 1 to 20. 
     
     
         28 . A coated composition of  claim 20  wherein the cellulose ether is a hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or a methylcellulose.