Abstract
Wool has been modified with activated mono- and di-functional vinyl compounds in aqueous, dimethyl sulfoxide, and mixed media. Amino acid and chemical analyses showed that lysine and histidine wool side chains reacted in relative proportions dependent on the specific vinyl compound. Order of reactivity paralleled electronegativity of the activating groups: (1) vinyl sulfone (sulfone group); (2) acrylonitrile (cyano group); (3) tetramethylene diacrylate (ester groups) and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (amide groups). Reduced solubility in ammonia after peracetic acid oxidation suggests that some difunctional reagents form new crosslinks. Maximum weight gain was about 5%. Hand and color were good. Tear strength was impaired. Both vinyl sulfone and acrylonitrile greatly retarded the supercontraction of felts by hot dimethyl sulfoxide. Acid dyeing tests accord with some blocking of basic dyeing sites. Cross dyeing is a potential application of the observed dye resistance.
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