Showing papers on "Acetone published in 1998"
TL;DR: This is the first study to demonstrate the ability to use clostridial genes in nonclostridium hosts for solvent production and acetone-producing E. coli strains may be useful hosts for recombinant protein production in that detrimental acetate accumulation can be avoided.
Abstract: A synthetic acetone operon (ace4) composed of four Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 genes (adc, ctfAB, and thl, coding for the acetoacetate decarboxylase, coenzyme A transferase, and thiolase, respectively) under the control of the thl promoter was constructed and was introduced into Escherichia coli on vector pACT. Acetone production demonstrated that ace4 is expressed in E. coli and resulted in the reduction of acetic acid levels in the fermentation broth. Since different E. coli strains vary significantly in their growth characteristics and acetate metabolism, ace4 was expressed in three E. coli strains: ER2275, ATCC 11303, and MC1060. Shake flask cultures of MC1060(pACT) produced ca. 2 mM acetone, while both strains ER2275(pACT) and ATCC 11303(pACT) produced ca. 40 mM acetone. Glucose-fed cultures of strain ATCC 11303(pACT) resulted in a 150% increase in acetone titers compared to those of batch shake flask cultures. External addition of sodium acetate to glucose-fed cultures of ATCC 11303(pACT) resulted in further increased acetone titers. In bioreactor studies, acidic conditions (pH 5.5 versus 6.5) improved acetone production. Despite the substantial acetone evaporation due to aeration and agitation in the bioreactor, 125 to 154 mM acetone accumulated in ATCC 11303(pACT) fermentations. These acetone titers are equal to or higher than those produced by wild-type C. acetobutylicum. This is the first study to demonstrate the ability to use clostridial genes in nonclostridial hosts for solvent production. In addition, acetone-producing E. coli strains may be useful hosts for recombinant protein production in that detrimental acetate accumulation can be avoided.
179 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was demonstrated that significant amounts of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (6-MHO), 4-oxopentanal (4-OPA), and acetone are formed by the reaction of ozone with foliage of common vegetation in the Mediterranean area.
166 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured the permeability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to acetone, nitrogen, and acetone/nitrogen mixtures at 28°C.
Abstract: The permeability of polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS] to acetone, nitrogen, and acetone/nitrogen mixtures has been determined at 28°C. In pure gas experiments, the permeability of PDMS to nitrogen was 245 × 10−10 cm3(STP) · cm/cm2 · s · cmHg and was independent of pressure. The permeability of PDMS to acetone vapor increased exponentially with increasing acetone pressure. PDMS is much more permeable to acetone than to nitrogen; acetone/nitrogen selectivity increases from 85 to 185 as acetone partial pressure in the feed increases from 0 to 67% of saturation. In mixed gas permeation experiments, the nitrogen permeability coefficient is independent of acetone relative pressure and is equal to the pure gas permeability coefficient. The acetone permeability coefficient has the same value in both mixed gas and pure acetone permeation experiments. Average acetone diffusivity in PDMS, determined as the ratio of permeability to solubility, decreases with increasing acetone concentration due to mild clustering of acetone in the polymer (because acetone is a poor solvent for PDMS) and changes in the polymer–penetrant thermodynamic interactions which influence diffusion coefficients. A Zimm–Lundberg analysis of the acetone sorption isotherm is also consistent with acetone clustering in PDMS. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 289–301, 1998
163 citations
TL;DR: Aldol condensation of acetone is performed at 273 K in liquid phase using as catalysts Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) with Cl − and/or CO 3 2− as compensating anions as mentioned in this paper.
155 citations
TL;DR: Various approaches to the analysis of polar compounds in different matrixes by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) were studied and fibers coated with poly(dimethylsiloxane)/divinylbenzene yielded the highest sensitivity in this type of analysis.
Abstract: Various approaches to the analysis of polar compounds in different matrixes by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) were studied. The analysis of polar analytes in nonpolar matrixes was performed with custom-made SPME fibers coated with Nafion perfluorinated resin. The sensitivity of this fiber in this type of analysis was better by 1 order of magnitude on average as compared to those of any of the commercially available fibers. The fiber was the most sensitive for the most polar of the compounds studied, i.e., methanol. Determination of methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol in unleaded gasoline was illustrated. Except for methanol, the fiber did not perform very well in the analysis of alcohols in water. The fiber was capable of extracting water from benzene. SPME analysis of polar compounds in water was studied using aqueous solutions of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), 2-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, and tetrahydrofuran. Fibers coated with poly(dimethylsiloxane)/divinylbenzene yi...
128 citations
TL;DR: Optimization of process selectivity considers the solubilities of the sugar and its monoesters in acetone at different temperatures, the percentage of this organic solvent in the reaction mixture, and the reaction temperature to select emulsifiers from glucose and fatty acids.
Abstract: Selective production of emulsifiers from glucose and fatty acids has been achieved using an immobilized Candida antarctica lipase. Optimization of process selectivity considers the solubilities of the sugar and its monoesters in acetone at different temperatures, the percentage of this organic solvent in the reaction mixture, and the reaction temperature. The solvent (acetone) is both easily eliminated and accepted by the European Community for use in the manufacture of foods and/or food additives. Different fatty acids with a longer length chain than that of caprylic acid may be employed. For saturated fatty acids longer than lauric acid, continuous precipitation of the monoester as it is formed at 40 degrees C permits nearly complete conversion (98%) of glucose to the monoester within 2-3 days. The procedure does not require total dissolution of the sugar, and precipitation of the monoester permits selective conversion of charges of glucose higher than 100 mg/mL solvent. A scaleup of the process under the optimum conditions gives high yields of 6-O-lauroyl glucose, which may be readily prepared on a gram scale. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
126 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the concentration and temperature dependencies of 1H and 13C chemical shifts in NMR of aqueous acetone mixtures were studied, together with the concentration dependence of the frequency of the C-H stretching vibration of acetone in IR spectra.
Abstract: The concentration and the temperature dependencies of 1H and 13C chemical shifts in NMR of aqueous acetone mixtures were studied, together with the concentration dependence of the frequency of the C–H stretching vibration of acetone in IR spectra. 1H and 13C chemical shifts were measured at 1 °C, 23 °C, and 48 °C by the external double reference method using a capillary with a blown-out sphere at the bottom for tetramethylsilane as the external reference substance. By this method, it is possible to determine the volume magnetic susceptibility of a sample solution at each temperature, for which the observed chemical shifts may be corrected exactly. Thus, we revealed the detailed electronic polarization in acetone as well as water as functions of concentration and temperature. On diluting acetone with water, the chemical shift of water protons, δH2O, is 3 ppm at the mole fraction of water Xw=0,05 and increases to the value for pure water, ca. 5 ppm, at Xw=0.96, with increasing Xw. In the region of Xw>0.96, ...
121 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, calcined Mg/Al hydrotalcites (CHT) with various atomic ratios of MG/Al were used as support for one-step synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone.
Abstract: Calcined Mg/Al hydrotalcites (CHT) with various atomic ratios of Mg/Al were prepared and used as support. One-step synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) from acetone and hydrogen at atmospheric pressure was investigated over Pd/CHT and Ni/CHT catalysts. These catalysts showed high activities and high selectivities to MIBK, reaching 60–70% selectivity at 35–40% conversion in some experiments. A temperature of ca. 140°C was sufficiently high for the calcined hydrotalcite-supported catalyst to assume basic properties and good activities in MIBK synthesis. The loading of metal (or the density of metal sites) was an important factor for product distribution in MIBK synthesis. A strong metal–support interaction was exhibited in these catalysts. A higher reduction temperature (>500°C) was needed for Ni/CHT catalysts to assume considerable reactivity and selectivities. The reduction temperature played an important role in the behavior of the Ni/CHT catalysts.
115 citations
TL;DR: The assay with [U-13C3]acetone allows measuring the 2H-enrichment of water even in biological samples containing acetone, which is more rapid and economical than the classical isotope ratio mass spectrometric assay of the enrichment of hydrogen gas derived from the reduction of water.
113 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of solvent-free triphase conditions (solid TS-1, organic substrate and aqueous H2O2, S-L-L) on benzene hydroxylation was investigated.
88 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the reaction of the condensation reaction of acetone on alumina and acid zeolites has been followed by FTIR on HZSM-5 and USY at 105°C.
TL;DR: Irganox 1010 (pentaerythritol tetrakis[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)] propionate is successfully extracted from polypropylene using solvents at high temperatures and pressures in a homemade accelerated solvent extraction system.
Abstract: Irganox 1010 (pentaerythritol tetrakis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)] propionate) is successfully extracted from polypropylene using solvents at high temperatures and pressures in a homemade accelerated solvent extraction system. For example, using freeze-ground polymer, 90% extraction is possible within 5 min with 2-propanol at 150 °C. Extraction curves for 2-propanol and acetone fit well to the “hot ball” model, previously developed for supercritical fluid extraction. Diffusion coefficients are determined for extractions with 2-propanol, acetone, and cyclohexane over a range of temperatures, and the activation energies for the diffusion are 134, 107, and 61 kJ mol-1, respectively. The lower figure for acetone and cyclohexane indicates that these solvents swell the polymer more than does 2-propanol. The polymer dissolves in the solvent at too high a temperature, which causes blockage of the transfer lines. For maximum extraction rates, the highest temperature for each solvent that avoids dissolut...
TL;DR: The effectiveness of ozone treatment for improving the biodegradability of recalcitrant pollutants has been proved by investigating the ozonation reaction of FAST-VIOLET-B (FVB) a bioresistant chemical intermediate of azo-dyes.
TL;DR: In this paper, a quasi-one-to-one relation between the number of bridging OH in a cluster Si−nAl containing only one Al and the amount of strongly hydrogen-bonded acetone was established.
Abstract: The interactions between the acetone carbonyl and the carbonyl and double bond of mesityl oxide and the Bronsted and Lewis acid sites of acid catalysts have been studied by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The acetone carbonyl interactions with bridging acidic OH and with bridging weakly acidic OH can be distinguished from one another semiquantitatively. This was substantiated by a quasi one-to-one relation between the number of bridging OH in a cluster Si−nAl containing only one Al and the number of strongly hydrogen-bonded acetone. The distinction between Bronsted and Lewis sites is not easy with acetone, while it is with mesityl oxide. The system acetone−mesityl oxide adsorbed an acid catalysts is rather unique, since the reagent and the reaction product of the condensation reaction are qualitatively and quantitatively detectable by FTIR spectroscopy. The quantitative determination of the coverage of the acid sites by the reagent and the reaction product was a prerequisite to the study o...
TL;DR: The LMnIV(O)3MnIVL]-PF6)2 (1) complex as mentioned in this paper, where L is 1,4 7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, catalyzes a highly efficient stereoselective oxygenation of saturated hydrocarbons in the presence of H2O2.
Abstract: The complex [LMnIV(O)3MnIVL](PF6)2 (1), where L is 1,4 7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, catalyzes a highly efficient stereoselective oxygenation of saturated hydrocarbons in the presence of H2O2. A carboxylic acid is an obligatory component of the reaction mixture, while acetonitrile or acetone can be used as solvent. The reaction occurs, forming alkyl hydroperoxide, ketone, and alcohol. Substitution at the tertiary carbon atom proceeds more easily than that at the secondary carbon atom, whereas primary C−H bonds are rather inactive. Oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxy acids catalyzed by complex 1 occurs with lower efficiency.
TL;DR: In this article, the carboxymethylation of wood pulp cellulose and cotton linters cellulose in different organic media, namely, ethanol, acetone, and ethanol-acetone mixtures, is performed.
Abstract: A study of the carboxymethylation of wood pulp cellulose and cotton linters cellulose in different organic media, namely, ethanol, acetone, and ethanol-acetone mixtures, is performed. Previously, the ethanol-acetone 1 : 1 (w/w) mixture used as reaction medium was found to give a higher degree of substitution (DS) than the pure solvents separately. In the present work, the kinetic investigation of cellulose carboxymethylation was carried out in ethanol-acetone 3 : 7 (w/w) mixture, as well as in acetone as reaction media, and the same synergistic effect of the solvents mixture was observed. The data suggested a pseudo-first-order kinetic behavior satisfactorily described by the following equation: ln(1.11 − DS) = −kt. The two reaction steps observed are related to the transformations of less ordered regions with higher reaction rate and more ordered regions with smaller reaction rates, respectively. A possible explanation for this behaviour is given, taking into account the different structural changes of cellulose crystallinity and accessibility produced by ethanol-acetone 3 : 7 (w/w) mixture, ethanol, and acetone, as revealed by X-ray diffraction and calorimetry determinations. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 481–486, 1998
TL;DR: The physicochemical interactions between aroma compounds and sodium caseinate were studied by complementary techniques involving the protein in aqueous solution at 25 or 75 g/L (exponential dilution and equilibrium dialysis) or in a solid state (sorption and infrared spectroscopy) as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple and quick treatment based on dissolving the crude lipase from Candida rugosa in different percentages (v/v) of several polar organic solvents was obtained.
Abstract: Following a simple and quick treatment based on dissolving the crude lipase from Candida rugosa in different percentages (v/v) of several polar organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, 1 and 2-propanol, 1 and 2-butanol and acetone) followed by dialysis, different preparations with enhanced activities were obtained. The opening of the lid covering the active site is proposed as the reason for explaining the activity enhancement, both in aqueous and anhydrous organic media.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Inert ingredients can modulate percutaneous absorption of toxicologically important pesticides and their effect or activity on CA disposition is dependent on solvent specificity and solvent concentration.
Abstract: Objectives To assess the influence of solvent plus various mixtures on percutaneous absorption and disposition of the carbamate insecticide, carbaryl (CA). Animals Skin was obtained from the dorsum of 14 female weanling specific-pathogen-free Yorkshire pigs. Procedure In this 8-hour in vitro flow-through diffusion study, porcine skin sections were dosed with 40 micrograms of CA/cm2 of surface area, different amounts of solvents (40 or 80% acetone or dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]), different amounts of a surfactant (0, 1, or 5% sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS]), an insect repellent (0 or 15% diethyl-m-toluamide [DEET]), an insecticide synergist (0 or 2% piperonyl butoxide [PB]), and a CA metabolite (40 micrograms/cm2 1-naphthol [1-NA]). Results In general, CA absorption was greater from acetone than from DMSO mixtures, and CA penetration into skin and stratum corneum was greater from DMSO at 8 hours. This is consistent with the flux-time profiles, which depicted initial peak flux within 2 to 3 hours for most acetone mixtures, but a slow increase in flux for DMSO mixtures. Irrespective of the solvent, increasing water content in pesticide dosing mixtures significantly increased CA absorption from SLS mixtures only. The SLS also enhanced CA absorption, especially at low solvent concentrations. The DEET significantly reduced CA absorption from acetone, but not from DMSO mixtures, and 1-NA enhanced CA absorption from acetone, but not from DMSO mixtures. Piperonyl butoxide significantly enhanced CA absorption from acetone and DMSO mixtures. However, addition of PB or PB plus SLS did not significantly increase CA flux above that observed from solvent plus surfactant mixtures. Conclusions Inert ingredients can modulate percutaneous absorption of toxicologically important pesticides and their effect or activity on CA disposition is dependent on solvent specificity and solvent concentration. Whereas SLS, PB, and 1-NA can enhance pesticide absorption, DEET can reduce absorption.
TL;DR: In this article, the La2Zr2O7 pyrochlore compound was used for the selective conversion of ethanol into acetone with yields of 96% of the stoichiometric amount at 400°C.
Abstract: Gas phase conversion of ethanol–water mixtures on copper-based catalysts leads to a significant yield of acetone. Copper catalysts containing lanthanum oxide stabilized with zirconia, in the form of the so-called La2Zr2O7 pyrochlore compound, exhibit the best performance for the selective conversion of ethanol into acetone with yields of 96% of the stoichiometric amount at 400°C. Acid–base properties of the pyrochlore in addition to its higher specific surface area and copper dispersion can explain the better catalytic behavior in comparison to the other tested copper catalysts. The most plausible reaction mechanism involves ethanol dehydrogenation to acetaldehyde followed by oxidation to acetic acid and further ketonisation to yield acetone.
TL;DR: Experimental data for the production of diacetone alcohol (DAA) with catalytic distillation (CD) are presented and discussed in this paper, where it was found that the DAA production rate in the catalytic distilled column is controlled by external mass transfer.
TL;DR: Sunflower stalk mill was converted to liquid products by using some organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, and acetone) with catalyst (% 10 NaOH) and without catalyst in an autoclave at different temperatures, 523 and 563 K as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: Three different 1,6-diacyl fructofuranoses have been prepared enzymatically and the indicated method minimizes the solvent/sugar ratio and the stability of the biocatalyst is high relative to the required reaction time.
TL;DR: In this paper, an enzymatic synthesis of several sorbitol diesters whose HLB values are similar to those of monoglycerides (the largest single type of food-grade emulsifiers) has been studied.
Abstract: The enzymatic synthesis of several sorbitol diesters whose HLB values are similar to those of monoglycerides (the largest single type of food-grade emulsifiers) has been studied. The procedure is carried out by the simple addition of the polyol to a solution of the fatty acid and is based on continuous precipitation of the diester formed at a low temperature. A solvent of relatively low toxicity (acetone) was used. Pure fatty acids of different chain lengths (lauric and caprylic acids) were employed. The procedure was also tested using the acids obtained from total hydrolysis of olive oil, as an example of industrial feedstocks of fatty acids.
This synthesis strategy gave complete conversion of sorbitol and >95% yields of the corresponding 1,6-diesters. In addition, a strategy to reduce the reaction time is reported. The enzymatic procedure permits minimization of the solvent/sugar ratio because it does not require complete dissolution of the sugar in the organic solvent. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 60: 53–60, 1998.
TL;DR: Scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of the newly developed CA hollow fibers suggests that the fiber cross section consists of multilayer microporous structures useful for cell immobilization.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of developing cellulose acetate (CA) membranes to partially immobilize Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 49451) and to evaluate the inhibitory effect of phenol on the immobilized bacteria by monitoring their growth in partially immobilized and free-suspension systems. The cellulose acetate membranes used in this study were wet spun from 20 wt % of CA in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)/acetone (30 : 70) solvent using water as the bore fluid as well as the external coagulant. Scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of the newly developed CA hollow fibers suggests that the fiber cross section consists of multilayer microporous structures useful for cell immobilization. Experiments were conducted using the bacteria to degrade phenol at initial phenol concentrations of 300 mg/L and 1000 mg/L. In a free suspension (no membrane) system, it was observed that the bacteria were able to grow optimally at 300 mg/L of phenol, and degraded phenol almost completely in about 26 h. However, neither cell growth nor phenol degra- dation occurred when initial concentration of phenol was increased to 1000 mg/L. In a cell-immobilized membrane system, the cell growth and phenol concentration profiles in the medium were very similar to those obtained in a free suspension culture if phenol concentration was 300 mg/L. However, when the initial phenol concentration was increased to 1000 mg/L, data obtained in a cell-immobilized membrane system were discernibly different from that obtained in the suspension culture. In the former case, phenol concentration decreased in the beginning of test, indicating that the carbon source has been consumed and immobilized cells within the membrane had begun to multiply. As soon as the phenol concentration decreased to about 700 mg/L (at which concentration, substrate inhibition was not as severe as 1000 mg/L),partial immobili- zation occurred when some cells diffused out of the membrane into the medium and optical density became measurable in the medium. It was found that cell growth contin- ued for the next 32 h, reaching an optical density in the medium of 0.42 absorbance units and a significant amount of phenol was degraded. q 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: Volatile compounds from two South-East Asian fermented soybean foods, Chungkuk-jang (CKJ) and Itohiki-natto (natto), were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas Chromatography (GC), and GC-sniffing.
Abstract: Volatile compounds from two South-East Asian fermented soybean foods, Chungkuk-jang (CKJ) and Itohiki-natto (natto), were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography (GC), and GC-sniffing. A total of 112 compounds were identified. A large amount of ethanol was detected from CKJ, while acetone and methyl isobutyrate were major components of natto. The characteristic odor compounds of CKJ were some ethyl esters of short chain fatty acids, diallyl disulfide, and several natto-like odor compounds were identified as ammonia, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 2-methylbutanoic acid.
TL;DR: In this paper, a dual function mechanism involving both metal and acidic properties decide the selectivity of the products, and a mechanism explaining the different products formed is postulated. Butler et al. showed that the product selectivity for propan-2-ol depends only on the metal availability whereas the selectivities for isobutyl methyl ketone depends on both acidic and metallic character of the catalyst.
Abstract: Co-precipitated Ni/Al2O3, Co/Al2O3 and Fe/Al2O3 catalysts containing 10–50 wt.% of metal are prepared and characterized by BET surface area, pore volume and XRD. Hydrogen chemisorption and oxygen uptake measurements are used to estimate the extent of reduction and the available surface metal sites. Acetone hydrogenation under vapour phase conditions is carried out over the catalysts in the temperature region 373–523 K. Conversion and selectivity of the catalysts are compared and are correlated with their hydrogen and oxygen uptake characteristics. Nickel catalysts are very active followed by cobalt and iron. A dual function mechanism involving both metal and acidic properties decide the selectivity of the products. The selectivity for propan-2-ol depends only on the metal availability whereas the selectivity for isobutyl methyl ketone depends on both acidic and metallic character of the catalyst. A mechanism explaining the different products formed is postulated.
TL;DR: In this paper, the sulfate-mediated conversion of acetone to 4methyl-3-penten-2-one and trimethylbenzene is reported, where the reaction products were observed in their absorbed states by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and in the gas phase by mass spectrometry.
Abstract: A new heterogeneous reaction, namely the sulfate-mediated conversion of acetone to 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one and trimethylbenzene, is reported. The reaction products were observed in their absorbed states by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and in the gas phase by mass spectrometry. In addition, protonated, absorbed acetone was observed under certain conditions. The reaction exhibits a strong concentration and / or temperature dependence, with non-reactive uptake as protonated acetone dominating at low temperatures and sulfate concentrations and reactive uptake occurring above 200 K and 75 wt. % H2SO4. Under conditions where reactive uptake occurs, the steady-state acetone loss probability is roughly 40%. It was not possible in this study to assess the relative effects of temperature and concentration on the reactivity of sulfate toward acetone.
TL;DR: Palladium-catalyzed allylation of carbonyls (1.1 − 1.5 mmol) with allylic esters 3a-d (1 mmol) in the presence of Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (0.05 mmol) and Et 2 Zn (2.4 mmol) at room temperature shows marked carbonyl-dependent regioselectivity.
Patent•
20 Aug 1998
TL;DR: In this article, the problem of obtaining a plasticizer capable of producing a cellulose ester film having reduced optical anisotropy and a small retardation value in the thickness direction by making the plasticizer include a specific compound was addressed.
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a plasticizer capable of producing a cellulose ester film having reduced optical anisotropy and a small retardation value in the thickness direction by making the plasticizer include a specific compound. SOLUTION: This plasticizer comprises a compound of the formula (R1 to R4 are each H or a 2-18C acyl; R5 and R6 are each H, a 1-18C alkyl, a 2-18C alkenyl, a 6-18C aryl or a 7-18C aralkyl). A cellulose lower fatty acid ester and the compound of the formula are mixed with an organic solvent containing >=50 wt.% of acetone or methyl acetate. The cellulose lower fatty acid ester is swollen, the swollen mixture is cooled to -100 to -10 deg.C, the cooled mixture is heated to 0-200 deg.C to prepare a cellulose ester solution in which the cellulose lower fatty acid ester is dissolved in the organic solvent. The solution is cast onto a substrate and the organic solvent is evaporated to preferably produce a cellulose ester film containing 2-25 wt.% of the compound of the formula, having <=100 nm retardation value in the thickness direction.