Hydroxyalkylated cross-linked regenerated cellulose and method of preparation thereof

A process for preparing a water insoluble, hydrophilic water swellable hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylated cross-linked regenerated cellulose which comprises mixing regenerated cellulose in an aqueous alkaline medium with up to 20% (V/W based on cellulose) of a cross-linking agent comprising a bifunctional compound of formula XRY wherein X and Y which may be the same or different is each halo or epoxy and R is an aliphatic residue, up to 100% (V/W based on cellulose) of an hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylating agent with agitation or stirring until substantially all swelling is completed and substantially all liquid absorbed, sealing the swollen mixture in a closed vessel and heating the mixture to an elevated temperature in excess of the boiling temperature of said hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylating agent and maintaining the mixture in excess of said boiling temperature until said reaction is substantially complete, and recovering the product from said vessel.

A process for preparing a water insoluble, hydrophilic water swellable hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylated cross-linked regenerated cellulose which comprises mixing cross-linked regenerated cellulose in an aqueous alkaline medium with up to 100% (V/W based on cellulose) of an hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylating agent with agitation or stirring until substantially all swelling is completed and substantially all liquid absorbed, sealing the swollen mixture in a closed vessel and heating the mixture to an elevated temperature in excess of the boiling temperature of said hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylating agent and maintaining the mixture in excess of said boiling temperature until said reaction is substantially complete, and recovering the product from said vessel.