The Properties of Cotton Reacted with β-Propiolactone

Abstract

A number of the textile and chemical properties of cotton reacted with β-propiolactone have been investigated and are reported. Differences in the properties of the products of the reflux and of the alkali methods of treatment are shown.

Reaction of cotton with β-propiolactone yields a cellulose derivative with a bound graft polymer. The results of this unusual reaction are shown by optical means with micro scopic cross sections and electron micrographs, by changes in X-ray diffraction patterns, by influence on textile properties, by chemical effects such as saponification to yield car boxyethylcellulose, and by the production of unsaturation in the cellulose derivative.