Hydroxyethyl cellulose is non-ionic soluble cellulose ether

Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), chemical formula (C2H6O2) n, is a white or light yellow, odorless, non-toxic fibrous or powdered solid prepared by etherification reaction of alkaline cellulose and ethylene oxide (or chloroethanol), belonging to the non-ionic soluble cellulose ether class.