Variations in a Delayed-Curing Cotton Via Internal Catalysis of Reaction With Divinyl Sulfone

Abstract

Cotton cellulose fabrics containing quaternary ammonium hydroxide groups at three levels of substitution were prepared directly from reaction of print cloth with 3-chloro- 2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride or with glycidyltrimethylammonium chlo ride. The reactions involved sodium hydroxide solutions of mecerizing strength. The chemically-modified fabrics were characterized for primary physical performance proper ties and for self-catalyzed reactions with divinyl sulfone and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) sul fone. The results extend information already reported for unmercerized cotton cellulose containing quaternary ammonium hydroxide groups generated by quaternization of 2-diethylaminoethyl substituents. The nature of the quaternary ammonium substituent and the mercerized or unmercerized state of the cotton fibers are shown to have a bearing on the efficiency of this self-catalyzed reaction and on the wrinkle recovery angles and other properties developed in the products.