New, nitrogen-containing derivatives have been prepared by the addition of amines to the unsaturated linkage of crotonic acid esters of cellulose. Amines that react are the cycloaliphatic, secondary amines such as morpholine and piperidine. Butylamine, isobutylamine, and n-hexadecylamine, as representative of aliphatic primary amines, also appear useful. Reaction solvents may include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, or dimethylformamide, and the amine addition is catalyzed by acetic acid. The products are susceptible to oxidation, becoming insoluble in acetone upon heating in a current of air, but are effectively stabilized with an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxytoluene. Morpholine reacts with cellulose propionate crotonate of 25% crotonyl content to yield cellulose propionate 3-morpholinobutyrate (CPMB). The product is soluble in a variety of organic solvents and in dilute, aqueous acids below a pH of 5.25, but is insoluble in water.