Cellulose acetate, synthetic compound derived from the acetylation of the plant substance cellulose. Cellulose acetate is spun into textile fibres known variously as acetate rayon, acetate, or triacetate. It can also be molded into solid plastic parts such as tool handles or cast into film for photography or food wrapping, though its use in these applications has diminished.
Cellulose is a naturally occurring polymer obtained from wood fibres or the short fibres (linters) adhering to cotton seeds. It is made up of repeating glucose units that have the chemical formula C6H7O2 (OH)3 and the following molecular structure