Cellulose is not only a major constituent of wood and natural textile fibers. It also serves as a polymeric starting material for products used in many areas of industry and every-day-life.

The book, written by leading experts in the field, is divided in to volumes:

In the first volume general information on cellulose structure and properties is given as well as the principles of homogeneous and heterogenous cellulose reactions and degradation pathways. Analytical methods for the characterization of cellulose are also described.

The second volume covers synthetic routes to the various classes of cellulose derivatives. Structured according to the principles of organic chemistry the achievements of today's reaction theory are considered and supplemented by an extensive collection of working procedures. It also deals with the latest developments and future trends in cellulose chemistry - from progress in cellulose processing to the supramolecular chemistry of new derivatives of cellulose.

This extensive coverage makes the book a standard work for graduate students entering this fascinating field of research, but also chemists, biologists and engineers who are active in chemical processing of cellulose will find a wealth of information.