COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012
Synonyms
Methylethylcellulose
Definition
Ethyl methyl cellulose is cellulose obtained directly from strains of fibrous plant material and partially etherified with methyl and ethyl groups
Einecs:
Chemical name: Ethyl methyl ether of cellulose
Chemical formula: The polymers contain substituted anhydroglucose units with the following general formula:
C 6 H 7 O 2 (OR 1 )(OR 2 )(OR 3 ), where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 each may be one of the following:
— H
— CH 3
— CH 2 CH 3
Molecular weight: From about 30 000 to 40 000
Assay: Content on the anhydrous basis not less than 3,5 % and not more than 6,5 % of methoxyl groups (-OCH 3 ) and not less than 14,5 % and not more than 19 % of ethoxyl groups (-OCH 2 CH 3 ), and not less than 13,2 % and not more than 19,6 % of total alkoxyl groups, calculated as methoxyl
Description
Slightly hygroscopic white or slightly yellowish or greyish odourless and tasteless, granular or fibrous powder
Identification
Solubility: Swelling in water, producing a clear to opalescent, viscous, colloidal solution. Soluble in ethanol. Insoluble in ether
pH: Not less than 5,0 and not more than 8,0 (1 % colloidal solution)
Purity
Loss on drying: Not more than 15 % for the fibrous form, and not more than 10 % for the powdered form (105 °C to constant weight)
Sulphated ash: Not more than 0,6 %
Arsenic: Not more than 3 mg/kg
Lead: Not more than 2 mg/kg
Mercury: Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium: Not more than 1 mg/kg