Kinetics of the Reactions of Ethyleneurea Derivatives with Cotton Cellulose

Abstract

Cotton print cloth has been treated with 0.55 M solutions of 4,5-dihydroxy-2- imidazolidinone or dihydroxyethyleneurea (DHEU) in the presence of 0.03 M inorganic salts as catalysts. The rates of the reaction at 45, 55, 65, 75, and 85°C in the presence of ZnCl 2, Zn(NO3)2, MgCl2, and (Mg(NO 3)2 catalysts have been determined by following changes in bound nitrogen and changes in crease recovery properties of finished fabrics. Enthalpies, entropies, and free energies of activation of the etherification processes at 45°C have been calculated. Comparisons with corresponding values obtained previously for the cellulose-dimethylolethylencurea (DMEU) reactions are given in order to emphasize significant differences between reactions of cotton with the nietliylol and with the ring hydroxyls in light of the so-called "delayed cure" process for chemically modifying cotton.