Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra of the Hydrolysis Products of Dimethylolethyleneurea and of Cotton Reacted with Dimethylolethyleneurea

Abstract

To obtain a better understanding of the breakdown of the crosslink between cotton cellulose and N-methylolethyleneurea compounds, it was desirable to identify the products of the acid hydrolysis of dimethylolethyleneurea (DMEU) and of fabric treated with DMEU. An approach to the identification of these hydrolysis products was made through a study of their nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. To interpret these spectra, an examination of spectra of some simpler urea derivatives was necessary. Evidence indicates that the products of miad acid hydrolysis of DMEU are unhydrolyzed DMEU, N-methylolethyleneurea, ethyleneurea and two polymeric forms of formaldehyde. The ethyleneurea ring was found to be stable to the hydrolysis conditions employed.