ESTERIFICATION OF HIGH ALPHA-CELLULOSE EXTRACTED FROM HIBISCUS-CANNABINUS L

High alpha-cellulose has been extracted from a fast-growing annual pla nt, namely Hibiscus cannabinus L. Esterified products from this alpha- cellulose and from a commercially available rayon-grade pulp were prep ared by adopting homogeneous esterification procedures. The physico-ch emical properties of the esterified products obtained were studied and the products were characterized using IR, UV and NMR techniques. The esterified products obtained from the alpha-cellulose of the above pla nt showed properties similar to those of esters prepared from commerci ally available rayon-grade pulp.