Phosphonomethylation of Cotton

Abstract

A new phosphorus-containing ether of cellulose was prepared by the reaction of cotton with chloromethylphosphonic acid in the presence of sodium hydroxide. Phosphorus contents from 0.2% to 4.0% were obtained. By proper control of the phosphono methylation reaction, derivatives were made which ranged from water soluble to fibrous materials in which the physical properties of the untreated cotton were substantially unaltered. Phosphonomethyl cotton was flame resistant in the ammonium salt form and had a cation exchange capacity equivalent to some of the cation exchange resins.