Common thermoanalytical characteristics of durable press reactants based on cyclic ureas

Thermal analyses, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and differential thermogravimetry (DTG), were performed on a series of derivatives of cyclic ureas under nitrogen. Such compounds are used extensively for durable press finishing of cotton textiles. Three common features were discovered in 15 compounds analyzed. Two features related to the presence of an oxygen‐containing substituent on the ring carbons or the ring nitrogens. The former substitution was expressed as an exothermic response between 200 and 300°C and the latter as an endotherm between 300 and 400°C. Specific substituent modifications that changed these responses are described. A final feature was identified. The presence of N‐methylol groups was recognized. This represented the first evidence that compounds capable of releasing formaldehyde have a thermoanalytical marker. The amount of residue produced in TG analyses was related to structure and indicated that thermally induced polycondensations were occurring.