is a reaction product of

phthalic anhydride and

a partial ester of
cellulose

contains not less than
19% & not more than
23.5% of acetyl groups
and not less than 30%
& not more than 36%
of phthalyl groups

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES:

a free-flowing, white
powder

Tasteless & Odorless
(but may have a
weak odor of Acetic
acid)
PREPARATION:

reaction of a partially substituted cellulose
acetate (CA) with phthalic anhydride in the
presence of an organic solvent and a basic
catalyst

organic solvents widely used as reaction
media for the phthaloylation of cellulose
acetate are acetic acid, acetone, or pyridine.
USES IN PHARMACY:
Mainly used as a tablet-coating agent.
Most notably on enteric-coated tablets.
has been used for several decades as a
pharmaceutical excipient due to its solubility
dependent on the pH of the aqueous media.

Proprietary Product: Aquacoat

Tyler, Varro E., and Lynn R.
Brady. Pharmacognosy. 8th ed.
Philadelphia: Lee & Febiger, 1988.

C.J. Malm, J.W. Mench, Brazelton
Fulkerso, and G.D. Hiatt, Preparation of
Phthalic Acid Esters of Cellulose, Journal
of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry