AbstractTriphenylchloromethane andp‐toluenesulfonyl chloride were reacted with chopped or powdered cellulose, with and without premercerization, to form trityl–cellulose ethers or tosyl–cellulose esters. Powdered and premercerized cellulose samples were more readily derivatized. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses were performed in nitrogen on these derivatives. DSC and TG thermograms were affected by the particular derivative and the degree of substitution. The decomposition temperatures for both derivatives were lower than for the unmodified cellulose. Trityl cleavage may have been detected by DSC as a broad endothermic area showing no weight loss that preceded the major endothermic decomposition peak. Decomposition temperatures were lowered, but not sufficiently to prevent decomposition products from being combustible. No increase in residue was effected. Thermal decomposition of tosyl–cellulose was substantially different from that of the trityl derivative. As the degree of tosyl substitution increased, decomposition occurred at lower temperatures as an increasing exotherm. Tosyl derivatives all produced high residues. These changes in thermal characteristics were indicative of increased flame resistance. Oxygen index (OI) values relate to flame resistance and show that tritylation was detrimental to the cellulose and that tosylation imparted some degree of flame res
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