Chemical Structures in Cotton Treated with Methylolated Carbamates Under Acidic and Alkaline Catalysis

Abstract

Chemical structures of reagent residues present in cottons treated with various methylolated carbamates were investi gated. Monomethylol and dimethylol derivatives of methyl-, ethyl-, and isopropyl carbamates were applied to cotton fabric under both acid and base catalysis. Differences in the treated material due to the catalyst, to the nature of the carbamate ester group, and to the functionality of the finishing agent were ascertained. The number and length of the crosslinks and graft substituents introduced into the cellulose substrate were estimated. These structures were assigned from calculations based on the nitrogen and formaldehyde contents of the finished fabrics and on the leveling-off bromina tion values. The leveling-off bromination values were determined by treating the fabrics with sodium hypobromite solutions, which produce N-bromamide groups in structures having an amidic hydrogen.