Low molecular weight cellulose mixed esters and their use as low viscosity binders and modifiers in coating compositions

A cellulose mixed ester having the following properties:

• a total degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit of from 3.08 to 3.50, having the following substitutions:
• a degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit of hydroxyl of no more than about 0.70;
• a degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit of C3-C4 esters from about 2.11 to about 2.91, and
• a degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit of acetyl of from about 0.10 to about 0.50;
• an inherent viscosity of from 0.05 to 0.12 dL/g, as measured in a 60/40 (wt./wt.) solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane at 25° C.;
• a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from about 1,000 to about 5,600;
• a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 1,500 to about 10,000;
• and
• a polydispersity of from about 1.2 to about 3.5.