The Cellulose-Epichlorohydrin Reaction in the Presence of Neutral Salt and Salt-Alkali Solutions

Effects of aqueous salt solutions on the epichlorohydrin-cotton cellulose reaction at 25° and 85° C have been studied. In attempts to elucidate reaction mechanisms, reaction products of epichlorohydrin in aqueous salt solutions have been isolated and characterized. Properties of fabrics finished with epichlorohydrin after pretreatinent with aqueous solu tions of salts or aqueous solutions of base saturated with sodium chloride were determined. The effects of concentration of sodium chloride in the presence and absence of sodium hydroxide, of the concentration of base saturated with salt, and of the duration and temperature of the epichlorohydrin-cotton reaction have been investigated. Experimental conditions which cause epichlorohy drin to impart dry crease resiliency to cotton have been established. The effect of the halogen atom in the epihalohydrin has also been considered.