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High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose: Industry Perspective and Future Outlook

Digging Into the History of High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose

Cellulose, the world’s most abundant organic polymer, has a reputation stretching back centuries. It took chemical engineering in the twentieth century to move from basic plant fiber to functional derivatives, and hydroxypropyl cellulose showed real promise once chemists learned to chain hydroxypropyl groups onto the cellulose backbone. The desire to change water solubility and thickeners for pharmaceuticals pushed the search forward. Technical journals from the 1950s onward reveal a slow but steady progression, as folks figured out the ways to drive up the level of substitution and wrestled with how much modification actually improved performance. Early versions suffered from inconsistent solubility and unpredictable viscosity. It took practical lab experience and tireless tinkering to find the sweet spot of properties, and as a result, you’ll find cellulose ethers almost everywhere today — from tablets to paint thickeners. Standout applications for highly substituted grades grew as pharmacy and food science demanded ever more consistent, easy-to-handle excipients.

A Practical Look at High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose

This material is best known as a white to off-white powder or sometimes a fine granular solid. Unlike more common cellulose ethers that only swell in water, the hydroxypropylation process enables excellent cold-water solubility, and solutions remain clear even at higher concentrations. Its surface feels slick, and it looks unremarkable, yet it enables all sorts of practical uses. Pharmaceutical companies rely on it as a binder and film former in oral tablets. Food processors select it for stabilizing frozen treats since it helps avoid ice crystal formation. Industry likes the low taste, chemical stability, and rapid dispersibility this kind of cellulose offers. It tends to come in different grades defined by viscosity and substitution level, which opens up uses beyond simple food or drug carriers.

Physical and Chemical Properties That Matter on the Production Floor

On the physical side, high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose carries a molecular weight ranging from around 100,000 up to 1,000,000 Daltons, depending on the source and refining process. Granule size and bulk density make a difference for flow properties in production. Chemically, the hydroxypropyl groups stick onto the anhydroglucose units of cellulose, bumping the average degree of substitution significantly above 2.8. This changes the hydrogen bonding pattern and limits crystallinity, boosting solubility and smoothing out viscosity for easier processing. As a result, workers can reliably dissolve it in both hot and cold water, and manufacturers note that it resists precipitation in salt-rich or strongly basic solutions. This chemical backbone holds up under mild acidic and oxidative conditions, making it valuable for stability in packaged food and sensitive drug formulations.

Technical Specifications and Transparent Labeling Practices

Customers buying high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose get technical sheets noting viscosity in 2% aqueous solutions, degree of substitution, particle size, moisture content, and pH range of solutions. Most suppliers refer to international pharmacopoeia standards, including the USP, JP, and EP monographs, so that buyers can match requirements for legal use in drugs or food. Clear labeling matters since handling instructions, storage conditions, and compatibility details prevent mix-ups on the plant floor. Workers learn to watch out for caking, and batch records often show traceability from raw material straight through finished application. Testing protocols sit on file to support claims for purity, absence of dangerous by-products, and microbial control — all spelled out in detailed quality documentation provided with each lot.

Preparation: How Manufacturers Get There

The climb from raw cellulose to high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose runs through several major reaction steps. First, purified cellulose is slurried in an alkaline solution, typically lye, which activates the hydroxyl sites. Propylene oxide then adds across the available –OH groups, inserting hydroxypropyl chains. Factory engineers adjust temperature, reaction time, and reactant concentrations to chase higher substitution levels. Once the reaction stops, extra or unreacted propylene oxide gets removed, and the product is thoroughly washed and neutralized to drop residual sodium salts. Drying and milling finish the job — though downstream processing varies depending on particle size and desired flow properties. Tuning these operating conditions allows the factory to deliver a consistent material batch after batch.

The Chemistry: More Than a Single Reaction Step

This class of cellulose ether is a chemical hybrid right from the first substitution reaction. Each substitution introduces a hydroxypropyl pendant, interrupting the neat packing of cellulose chains and creating a material that’s neither fully hydrophilic nor greasy. At higher substitution levels, the mass of hydroxypropyl groups even creates solubility in organic solvents — a rarity for cellulose derivatives. Chemical engineers sometimes modify the structure further, grafting additives or blending in other polymers to suit certain drug delivery or food texture requirements. The basic hydroxypropylation reaction uses base-catalyzed nucleophilic addition, but secondary steps might focus on end-capping reactive groups to fine-tune stability or stickiness. The main commercial challenge is controlling side reactions and keeping by-product levels well below health and legal thresholds.

Names to Watch and Synonyms Found on Product Sheets

On any product sheet, you’ll see terms like “hydroxypropyl cellulose” (HPC) and specially the notation “high-substituted” to point out grades above 2.8 average substitution per glucose ring. International suppliers might describe it with different abbreviations: HPC-H or HPC-SSL. Drug handbooks list it by INS number 463 or E463, while food manufacturers recognize it by its European food additive code. It can show up in patent filings under trade names belonging to the likes of Ashland, Nippon Soda, or Dow, who have long histories in cellulose chemistry. It pays to know these synonyms to avoid confusion, especially working internationally or in regulatory environments where ingredients sometimes have overlapping but non-identical technical definitions.

Workplace Safety and Operational Benchmarks

Safety profiles for high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose compare favorably to many other industrial powders — minimal skin or inhalation hazards, limited risk for environmental harm, and a solid history of use in consumer goods. Dust management remains a core focus, since fine particles always present an explosion hazard under dry, enclosed conditions. Operators wear standard dust masks, and facilities lean on explosion-proof mixers and grounded pneumatic lines. Storage keeps the product in cool, dry surroundings, often in double-lined bags to cut down on moisture pick-up and clumping. In terms of compliance, established standards handle everything from minimum purity (usually above 95%) to allowable trace chemicals and maximum microbial counts, in part to line up with FDA, EFSA, and similar rules worldwide.

Areas Where High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Proves Its Worth

Medicine and drug delivery probably draw the most attention, thanks to cellulose derivatives’ natural safety and solid film formation. Direct compression tableting, controlled-release coatings, and nonwoven medical pads all benefit from HPC’s reliability and solubility. Food technology uses it to stabilize sauces, boost the chew of gluten-free baked goods, and preserve creamy textures in dairy alternatives. Beyond edibles, people have used it as a binder in lithium-ion batteries, rheology modifier for personal care products, and even as a thickener for paints and adhesives. The flexibility starts with water solubility and carries right on through resistance to aging and easy processability — traits factories prize for complex modern formulations.

Where Research and Development Push Boundaries

Engineers and scientists focus research on a couple of big problems: developing HPC that works in ever smaller dosages to control costs, blending it with other functional polymers for new properties, and improving the understanding of structure-versus-function at the molecular level. Solid-state NMR, tandem mass spectrometry, and atomic force microscopy all get used to reveal the arrangement of hydroxypropyl groups and predict how the polymer behaves inside food, tablet, or gel. Pharmaceutical researchers have dug deep into how functional groups control drug release, and the ongoing shift toward poorly water-soluble drugs places extra value on HPC’s ability to keep active molecules suspended or dissolved.

Toxicity Research and Consumer Health Data

Published research puts high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose firmly in the low-toxicity category. Animal studies show little to no acute or chronic effect, with oral LD50 values far above typical usage levels. The human digestive tract basically passes the polymer unabsorbed, as it resists enzyme breakdown all the way through the gut. Regulatory toxicology reviews in the US, Europe, and Japan have all stamped it safe, up to high intake levels. Sensitivity incidents are almost vanishingly rare, and no credible human case reports point toward allergenicity or irritation with proper use. Product safety summaries do prompt people to avoid dust inhalation and keep powder away from eyes, but in practice, issues nearly always come from misuse rather than the ingredient itself. As folks turn more and more to “clean label” and non-synthetic texturizers, the positive safety and digestibility story underpins demand and acceptance in markets worldwide.

Future Prospects Shaping Demand for High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose

Cellulose chemistry isn’t sitting still. Bioplastics, 3D printing, smart excipient systems, and next-generation food engineering depend on reliable, predictable polymers. Interest grows in customizing degrees of substitution and blending cellulose ethers with nanoparticles or bioactive compounds. The global shift away from synthetic plastics allows bio-based thickeners and binders to shine. Environmental regulations further push industry toward substances with clean production footprints and proven end-of-life safety. High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose sits at that crossroad, offering the flexibility to shape food, drug, and industrial futures. Investment in greener synthesis routes, tighter quality controls, and ever-smarter structure-property research points to an ingredient with a bright — and ever-expanding — set of possibilities up ahead.




What is High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose used for?

High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose in Medicine

Pharmaceutical tablets and capsules fill my medicine cabinet. Each pill depends on more than the active ingredient. Take a closer look, and you’ll notice the smooth outer layer, the quick dissolve, the easy swallow—all supported by excipients. High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (HS-HPC) holds a strong place in the world of tablet excipients. Drugmakers pick this compound for how it helps tablets break apart fast in your gut, allowing the medicine to work reliably.

My own experience as a patient clued me into how much these materials shape treatments. Swallowing a tablet that dissolves easily helps patients stick to their prescriptions. This isn’t about fancy chemistry; it’s about patient comfort. HS-HPC serves up consistent results batch after batch, and strict regulatory standards keep its quality high. In clinical research, formulas using HS-HPC often show better drug release profiles, which means treatments can start working as intended, fast.

Uses in Food

Anyone who’s spent time in a kitchen knows food texture matters. Food technologists borrow tools from the pharmaceutical world, including high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose. Food manufacturers lean on this cellulose to thicken sauces or keep whipped toppings airy. You’ll find it in salad dressings for its stability, holding oil and water together. It’s tasteless, so it disappears into the recipe, letting the main flavors shine.

People with dietary restrictions might notice HS-HPC on ingredient labels. Its plant origin makes it valuable in vegetarian and vegan foods. Since it won’t break down in the stomach, it adds fiber-like benefits. Industry groups and regulatory agencies monitor its safety closely; decades of studies back up its role in foods across the globe.

Everyday Personal Care Products

Shampoo that doesn’t separate, toothpaste that squeezes out without clumps, and lotions that glide over skin without stickiness—all benefit from high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose. My own daily routine probably includes more cellulose chemistry than I realize, especially in gels and creams that stay smooth over time.

Consistency isn’t just about the look; it impacts shelf life and customer satisfaction. Companies keep returning to HS-HPC for its reliable performance in all sorts of climates, so products meet expectations from store to bathroom sink.

Industrial Uses and Solutions for Supply Chains

High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose shows up in adhesives, inks, and coatings, not just consumer goods. In the print industry, this substance keeps inks from clogging up printing heads, making high-speed production lines more efficient. Even in construction, HS-HPC appears in specialty dry mixtures, helping tools and people get the job done without delays from separating layers or uneven consistencies.

Production hiccups and raw material shortages sometimes pop up. I’ve seen supply chains stumble during global disruptions. Diversifying manufacturing sources and supporting research into sustainable cellulose recovery can help ease these problems and steady supplies. Traceability matters more these days, for makers and buyers alike. Modern tracking tools can help show whether cellulose comes from responsible suppliers, addressing growing calls for environmental transparency.

Looking Ahead at Improvements and Quality

Customers expect safe, effective, and consistent products. That means constant monitoring and improvement for makers of high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose. Ongoing investment in testing batches, training employees, and adapting to new science prevents recalls and keeps trust strong. Every bottle of medicine, tube of toothpaste, or food package tells a story about teamwork behind the scenes.

Better communication between suppliers, makers, and end-users can speed up innovation. Learning from feedback—whether from doctors, chefs, or everyday shoppers—helps shape a next round of even more reliable products using advanced grades of cellulose.

Is High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose safe for consumption?

Understanding High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose

High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose shows up in ingredient lists for many products most folks bring home from the grocery store, from salad dressings and sauces to pharmaceuticals and supplements. This compound, made by modifying cellulose (the structural material in plants), often acts as a thickener, emulsifier, or stabilizer. So, the question surfaces whenever new sounding additives pop up—does eating it put your health at risk?

Diving Into the Science

Through years of reading up on the topic and following regulatory debates, it’s clear that high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose lands on the FDA’s list as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). That means experts examining the data, which comes from both animal studies and some human trials, have not spotted side effects in amounts commonly used in foods and medicines. Authorities in Europe and Japan have scrutinized the compound and reached the same conclusion.

Cellulose derivatives like this one dodge digestion in the human gut, moving along as dietary fiber. Research published over decades, such as work found in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, points out that these compounds pass through the digestive tract mostly unchanged. High doses—think far more than you’d ever get from a sandwich or vitamin pill—have prompted mild digestive complaints, like bloating, in short-term studies. Other than that, scientists haven’t tied it to toxicity, cancer risk, or allergies.

What People Should Know

Labels rarely spell out the purpose of high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, which can leave consumers scratching their heads. Why use it? My experience working in food manufacturing shed a light on this: the compound delivers smooth textures and prevents oil and water from separating. That means an even bite or sip from start to finish, which most of us look for in packaged foods.

On supermarket shelves today, people demand clearer labeling, especially for additives with complicated names. Transparency helps customers make informed choices, especially those watching their fiber intake or dealing with digestive conditions. Nutritionists suggest keeping a balanced, whole-food diet, because fiber from natural sources like fruits and grains packs more nutritional punch. Additives like high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose can fill gaps in processed foods, though they don’t match the benefits of eating an orange or a bowl of oats.

Regulations and Industry Duty

With news stories covering food safety week after week, trust can break down fast when companies seem cagey. Industry leaders can step up by publishing plain-language safety summaries and sharing more about how they screen suppliers and test ingredients. Regulators could require simpler labeling for all dietary cellulose compounds, so busy parents or anyone on the go spends less time puzzling over terms.

Consumers, health professionals, and researchers continue tracking the science together. If new evidence links these additives to health issues, rules and guidance can shift quickly. As of now, no watchdog agency or scientific body flags high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose as unsafe for anyone except those with specific intolerances. Checking with a doctor before starting high-fiber supplements still makes sense, especially for folks with irritable bowel syndrome or other gut conditions.

Looking Ahead

People want safe, convenient, tasty foods. While high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose remains one of the safer tools in the food scientist’s kit, companies need to earn trust every day. Clarity, ongoing research, and honest conversation about what’s in our food bring confidence—and ultimately, better health for all.

What are the typical applications of High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose in pharmaceuticals?

High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Isn’t Just Another Excipient

Most of us have taken a pill that glided down easily, dissolved quickly, and started working soon after. This kind of performance rarely happens by accident. One unsung hero behind the scenes is high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (H-HPC). It’s a cellulose derivative, but it packs some serious punch in modern medicine. I’ve seen how small tweaks in formulation can change a pill’s behavior, and H-HPC holds a special place in the toolkit for oral solid dose forms.

Solving Tough Problems in Tablets and Capsules

H-HPC stands out for its combination of water solubility and compressibility. It plays a big role in keeping tablets from crumbling under pressure, and ensures the medicine doesn’t just sit useless in the gut. In my time working with pharmaceutical projects, I’ve watched formulators rely on it as a binder in direct compression, where making tablets without water or heat matters. This means heat-sensitive drugs stay safe, and manufacturing stays efficient. The end goal is simple — a consistent tablet, every time.

H-HPC pulls double-duty as a disintegrant. It encourages tablets to break apart right where they ought to, allowing the drug to get absorbed quickly. Think about painkillers that work fast or allergy pills you can trust in a pinch — many benefit from cellulose excipients like this one. Research from journals such as the International Journal of Pharmaceutics backs up these claims. They report that tablets containing H-HPC disintegrate faster than many alternatives. Patients notice that difference.

Enabling New Formulations — Especially for Sensitive Medicines

There’s no one-size-fits-all in drug development. Some active ingredients react badly to moisture or certain processing methods, and some have trouble dissolving. I’ve watched as H-HPC helped unlock new formulations for medicines stuck on the shelf because nothing else worked. H-HPC’s solubility means it helps poorly soluble drugs get into the bloodstream faster. That can make a once-difficult medicine easier to swallow and much more effective.

I’ve seen researchers use H-HPC to improve taste-masked, orally-dispersible tablets, especially for kids and older adults. Nobody likes a pill that leaves a gritty aftertaste or refuses to break apart fast. H-HPC helps tablets dissolve quickly on the tongue, which really matters for children’s formulations and for people who struggle with swallowing.

Addressing Manufacturing Headaches and Stability

Making tablets at scale invites issues like picking, sticking, or tablets that just won’t hold their shape. H-HPC offers a practical solution. The polymer acts as a lubricant and flow agent in some cases. Production lines run smoother, quality improves, and waste drops. According to studies from manufacturers and regulatory filings, this cellulose delivers reliable shelf stability, guarding pills against moisture and temperature swings. That translates to less spoilage and fewer headaches for pharmacists and patients alike.

Looking Forward with Better Excipients

Drug companies face plenty of pressure to deliver medicines that work better and cost less. H-HPC’s versatility helps scientists bring new therapies to market without huge investment in new machinery. For patients, it might just mean that the best version of their medicine finally made it out of the lab and onto pharmacy shelves. In my own experience, paying attention to these details — like the choice of H-HPC — shapes outcomes more than flashier science often does. Every part of the process matters, and patient trust depends on choices made at the smallest scale.

The industry keeps searching for even more sustainable and effective ingredients, but for now, high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose remains a quiet workhorse in the medicine cabinet. It shows how small improvements in formulation can create a ripple effect of benefits — from manufacturing all the way to that familiar small pill in a bottle.

How should High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose be stored?

Why Storage Choices Shape Quality

High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose sits on many shelves in pharmaceutical and food processing labs. More than a simple thickener, this cellulose derivative keeps drugs stable and shapes hundreds of products we use daily. I’ve seen how proper storage makes the difference between a batch that works and one that spoils, causing real headaches in manufacturing and medical use alike.

The Enemies: Moisture, Heat, Air, and Contaminants

Cellulose-based powders pull in water like a sponge. Even in rooms that don't feel humid, the air can draw moisture into an opened container. Left unchecked, this subtle, slow dampness invites clumping, molds, or unwanted breakdown of the chemical bonds. That’s how you end up with off-colors, bad textures, or product recalls.

Heat brings another risk. Temperatures above room level send plastics and polymers into strange territory—sometimes even in ways you can’t see at first. I’ve heard stories from teams who thought their storage was “good enough,” only to find their high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose turned sticky or yellow over time. These small changes ripple through final product performance, especially in drugs that demand precise delivery.

Personal Experience: Simple Systems Outperform Fancy Setups

My first experience with cellulose storage involved a closet, some desiccant packets, and a sharp-eyed lab manager. She stored every powder—hydroxypropyl included—in tightly sealed, labeled containers, high off the floor. She didn’t splurge on special rooms or high-tech bins. Instead, she watched every seal and always checked the moisture monitor strips inside the containers. Her system beat out more expensive setups that forgot the basics.

This might sound basic, but good storage isn’t about being high-tech. It’s about cutting out exposure. Use airtight plastic or glass jars. Push out excess air before closing. Keep those jars far from windows, heat vents, and places that swing hot and cold. Even if you work in a small clinic or food lab, place powders on shelves away from doors or any source of steam.

Supporting Facts and Industry Advice

The US Pharmacopeia and several chemical suppliers agree: high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose stores best below 25°C, sealed tightly, away from light and direct air. Data from stability tests show samples lose less than 1% potency each year if kept cool and dry. These numbers become huge in scale—think of the difference between a medicine that works as intended and one that falls short after six months on a truck.

Solutions That Keep Things Simple and Safe

Add silica gel desiccants inside each storage jar. Desiccants grab moisture that sneaks in no matter how tightly you close the lid. Rotate your stock, using older batches first, and clearly mark opening dates on every container. Keep containers in a dark cabinet or drawer, away from sunlight, and not near the walls where condensation might appear in winter.

If you manage more than a few bottles, set up a digital temperature and humidity monitor for your storage area. Alarms can catch problems early. Skip this if you only use a little at home, but in any commercial or research setting, those small steps avoid big losses.

Real Impact in the Everyday World

Every batch lost to poor storage means wasted money and extra risk for the next person relying on that powder. Drug makers, food producers, and labs all tie their results to these small daily habits. I’ve seen projects succeed or collapse not because of high science, but because someone checked the seal and kept a bin dry. That’s the human side of chemistry—details turning into trust.

What is the difference between standard and high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose?

The Real-World Contrast in Everyday Applications

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is more than a name buried in pharmaceutical labels or food ingredient lists. It shapes everything from medicines to tablet coatings found in regular clinic visits or the snack foods stacked in local shops. There’s a split worth understanding: standard HPC and its high-substituted cousin. That gap affects how products look, behave, and even taste. Without recognizing this nuance, formulators can hit brick walls that waste both time and resources.

The Backbone: What Sets Substitution Apart?

Standard hydroxypropyl cellulose carries a moderate number of hydroxypropyl groups attached to its cellulose backbone. In real terms, this makes it dissolve in water at room temperature, forming a cloudy solution. Think of stirring protein powder in water—it never fully clears up, and clumping isn’t unusual. This kind of HPC thickens liquids and holds things together, giving tablets their snap and mouthfeel or preventing granola bars from turning to crumbs in a backpack. It’s common to see standard HPC in sustained-release medicines, since it slows down how a pill dissolves in the body, which can help patients manage their dosage and keep medication levels steady.

High-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose throws more hydroxypropyl groups onto the molecule. Science calls this a higher molar substitution. The result is a substance that dissolves much more easily, giving a crystal-clear solution without the cloudiness or clumps of the standard type. It turns up in eye drops, syrups, and certain food coatings because manufacturers trust it not to cloud up in the bottle or leave film behind. It can bind water fiercely, making it perfect for products that demand clarity or need to resist drying out. High-substituted HPC also handles higher temperatures and resists breaking down in acidic or alkaline conditions, which means it fits where regular HPC can’t survive.

Why the Choice Matters in Health and Safety

The stakes are high in regulated industries like healthcare and food. Medicinal chemists face tough guidance from regulators—both FDA and EMA pay sharp attention to the materials that slip into tablets and suspensions. Standard HPC’s lower substitution level helps drugs release their active ingredient slowly over time. This kind of accuracy keeps patients from getting a sudden burst of medication, which can be dangerous. High-substituted HPC, meanwhile, acts as a clear thickener in liquids, making syrups and suspensions easier to swallow and less gritty. It improves patient compliance, especially for children or the elderly, who may refuse cloudy or unpleasant-tasting liquids.

Cost, Sourcing, and Global Supply Chain Pressures

Anyone who’s worked in pharmaceutical procurement has seen the headaches of raw material shortages. Standard hydroxypropyl cellulose is more readily available than its high-substituted counterpart, often costing less and carrying more bulk certifications. High-substituted grades take extra effort to produce and test. Vendors charge a premium, and not every supplier can promise consistent lots. Global disruptions, such as factory shutdowns in major cellulose hubs or tightened export rules, drive up lead times and prices on these specialty grades.

Real Solutions—Choosing Wisely

Working in a hospital pharmacy taught me that matching the right grade goes beyond reading spec sheets. Ask how the cellulose behaves in your formula. Does it thicken as much as you need? Remain stable on the shelf? Meet allergen or kosher requirements? It saves headaches to run a small pilot batch, test tablets for hardness and dissolution, or ask suppliers for detailed impurity profiles. Teams can sidestep recalls and costly reformulations by matching the right type and quality of hydroxypropyl cellulose with the demands at hand. Relying on third-party audits and transparent sourcing helps avoid last-minute surprises.

The Bottom Line: Quality, Compliance, and User Experience

In the end, the difference between standard and high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose cuts to the practical realities of making and using safe, reliable products. The right choice protects end-users, keeps companies in compliance, and builds trust in the brands people use every day.

High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
Names
Preferred IUPAC name Cellulose, 2-hydroxypropyl ether
Other names HS-HPC
High-Substituted HPC
Pronunciation /haɪ-səbˈstɪ.tjʊ.tɪd haɪˌdrɒk.siˈproʊ.pɪl ˈsel.juː.loʊs/
Identifiers
CAS Number [9004-64-2]
Beilstein Reference 8562172
ChEBI CHEBI:85235
ChEMBL CHEMBL1201531
ChemSpider 73695
DrugBank DB09560
ECHA InfoCard 03fc7c6b-7f6e-4ca1-9ed7-2343e604ddee
EC Number 9004-64-2
Gmelin Reference 105404
KEGG C14249
MeSH D020051
PubChem CID 71587661
RTECS number GM8946000
UNII 23ZRD8Z32D
UN number UN3272
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) DTXSID7057784
Properties
Chemical formula C3H7O* n
Molar mass Molar mass of High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose is variable and not fixed, as it is a polymer.
Appearance White or yellowish, odorless, tasteless powder
Odor Odorless
Density 0.5 g/cm³
Solubility in water Soluble
log P ≤ 0
Basicity (pKb) 6.0~9.5
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) -0.64 × 10⁻⁶ cm³/g
Refractive index (nD) 1.336
Viscosity 4000-6500 mPa·s
Dipole moment 2.69 D
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) 1.27 J/(g·K)
Pharmacology
ATC code A06AC62
Hazards
GHS labelling GHS labelling for High-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose: "Not classified as hazardous according to GHS.
Pictograms GHS07,GHS08
Hazard statements Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Precautionary statements Observe good industrial hygiene practices. Wash hands after handling. Use personal protective equipment as required. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) 1-2-0
Flash point > 227°C
Autoignition temperature 260 °C
Lethal dose or concentration LD50 Oral Rat > 2000 mg/kg
LD50 (median dose) > 2000 mg/kg (rat, oral)
NIOSH RN 9004-64-2
PEL (Permissible) Not established
REL (Recommended) 40 mg/kg bw
Related compounds
Related compounds Methylcellulose
Ethylcellulose
Hydroxyethyl cellulose
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
Carboxymethyl cellulose
Low-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose