Researches on Cellulose, II (1900-1905)

Abstract

IN the course of their extended researches on the chemistry of cellulose, the authors of this work have gradually become dissatisfied with all the numerous attempts which have from time to time been made to represent the chemical structure of this substance by means of ordinary constitutional formul. The fundamental basis for such a representation—the knowledge of the molecular weight—has always been and is still lacking, and in its absence the chemist has perforce limited himself to endeavouring to assign a chemical constitution to some comparatively small unit containing six, or some multiple of six, carbon atoms, and has usually regarded the complete unknown molecule of cellulose as a polymeride of this. A certain measure of success has attended these efforts, particularly as regards the relation of the final products of such processes as nitration or hydrolysis to the original “unit.”

Researches on Cellulose, II. (1900–1905).

By C. F. Cross E. J. Bevan. Pp. xi + 184. (London: Longmans, Green and Co.) Price 7s. 6d. net.