A Study of Mesomorphous Properties of O-(2-Hydroxypropyl)cellulose Derivatives

O-(2-Hydroxypropyl)cellulose has been used for synthesis of O-decyl-O-(2-hydroxypropyl)cellulose (DHPC; DS = 2.2) and O-stearoyl-O-(2-hydroxypropyl)cellulose (SHPC; DS = 2.1). Both compounds show mesomorphous properties of liquid polymeric crystals. DHPC in the form of highly viscous liquid has a lyotropic character. SHPC as solid has thermotropic properties with two phase transitions in the interval of 40 - 70 °C.