Fluoborates in Catalysis of Durable Press Finishing Treatments for Cotton Fabrics

The use of sodium fluoborate in catalyst mixtures with magnesium chloride for durable press finishing treatments produced a more active catalyst system than would be predicted from the teachings of classical inorganic chemistry. The behavior of the sodium and other fluoborates in aqueous solutions was thus investigated. The dissociation of these salts to produce hydrogen ion was followed, and a hydrolysis mechanism is offered. A comparison of sodium, zinc, and magnesium fluoborates in catalyst systems for durable press finishing with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea is also presented.