Nitric acid esters; used in lacquers and explosives; SYN. nitrocellulose, nitrocotton.
Or nitrocellulose; Series of esters of cellulose with up to three nitrate (NO3) groups per monosaccharide unit. It is made by the action of concentrated nitric acid on cellulose (for example, cotton waste) in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. Fully nitrated cellulose (gun cotton) is explosive, but esters with fewer nitrate groups were once used in making lacquers, rayon, and plastics, such as colored and photographic film, until replaced by the nonflammable cellulose acetate. Celluloid is a form of cellulose nitrate.