Which of the following is known as gun cotton?

Options

A. Cellulose dinitrate
B. Cellulose diacetate
C. Celluose trinitrate
D. Cellulose triacetate.

Answer

C

Explanation

A number of derivatives of cellulose are used commercially . Most of these are compounds in which two or three of the free hydroxyl groups of each glucose unit have been converted either to an ester or an ether. This conversion substantially alters the physical properties of the material, making it more soluble in orgainc solvents and allowing it to be made into fibres and films.
During reaction of cellulose (other than hydrolysis), the chain remains essentialy intact. Like only alcohol, cellulose forms esters.
Treating cellulose with acetic anhydride produces the triacetate known as "Arnel" or acetate" widely used in the textile industry.
Treatment with a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acid converts cellulose into cellulose nitrite.The properties and used of the product depend upon the extent of nitration. Guncotton, which is used in making explosives (smokeless powder) is very nearly completely nitrated groups cellulose, and is often called cellulose trinitrate (three mitrate groups per glucose unit). Pyroxylin is less highly nitrated material containing between two and three nitrate groups per glucose unit. It is used ion the manufacture of plastics like celluloid and collodion, in photographic film, and in lacquers. it has the disadvantage of being flammable, and form highly toxic nitrogen oxides upon burning.