Catalytic Effects in the Reaction of Methylolamide Crosslinking Agents with Cellulose

Abstract

A systematic study of pad-dry-cure finishing was conducted with several N-methylol type crosslinking agents and a wide variety of salt catalysts to determine what factors contribute to and control catalytic activity. Salts were chosen with various combinations of positive and negative ions to study most of the characteristics inherent in the periodic table in an effort to establish general trends that may be operative. Three important factors were used to assess catalytic activity: 1) rate of reaction, 2) maximum attainable extent of reaction (yield), and 3) minimum catalyst concentration necessary to achieve maximum extent of reaction. It was found that catalytic activity is a complex result of several contributing factors, including acidity and oxidation state of the cation, nature of the anion, ionic size and ionic mobility, hydrolysis reactions which the salts undergo in aqueous solution, covalent character, and temperature effects. Both Lewis acid and Brønsted acid mechanisms are concurrently operative to different extents with different catalysts.