Overview

Cellulose xanthate (SELL-you-lohs ZAN-thate) is a compound produced from cellulose in the viscose process for making rayon. The subscript "n" in the chemical formula indicates that many molecules chain together to make up the polymer. In this case, between 200 and 400 C₆H₇O₂ (OH)₂OCS₂Na molecules combine to make a molecule of cellulose xanthate.

Key Facts

Other Names:

Viscose rayon; xanthate rayon

Formula:

[C₆H₇O₂(OH)₂ OCS₂Na]_n

Elements:

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, sodium

Compound Type:

Polymer

State:

Solid

Molecular Weight:

Very large (50,000 to 100,000 g/mol)

Melting Point:

Not applicable

Boiling Point:

Not applicable

Solubility:

Soluble in aqueous caustic solutions

Although rayon is made from a naturally-occurring material, cellulose, it is regarded as a synthetic product. It was the first synthetic fiber made by humans. The method for making rayon was discovered in about 1891 by three English chemists, Charles Frederick Cross (1855–1935), Edward...