Investigations Toward Formaldehyde-Free Finishes'

Abstract

Only a few formaldehyde-free finishing agents have had even brief commercial usage. Among them, the dihydroxyimidazolidinones (dihydroxyethyleneureas) are the most attractive, but they still lack economy and effectiveness. Investigation of numerous types of agents continues, but best prospects for success remain in the aldehyde-amide reaction products. Bis(dihydroxyimidazolidinones) have given slightly better fabric properties than the mono(dihydroxyimidazolidinones), but at considerable expense. Adducts of glyoxal and amides other than ureas have had even less reactivity than the dihydroxyimidazolidinones. A recent effort has investigated reaction products of glutaraldehyde and amides that are intended to be 1-substituted- 2,6-dihydroxypiperidines or their ethers. These products, however, only approach the reactivity of the dihydroxyimidazolidinones.