Mobile Ester Cross Links for Thermal Creasing of Wrinkle-Resistant Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

Ester cross linkages in cotton cellulose have been investigated for mobility (trans esterification) at elevated temperature. Cotton cellulose polycarboxylates were prepared by reaction of cotton print cloth with polycarboxylic acids having 3-6 carboxyl groups per molecule, at least two of the carboxyl groups being on adjacent carbon atoms. Durable creases were developed to various degrees when these fabrics were subjected to thermal creasing treatments subsequent to the cross-linking reaction. Thermal mobil ity of ester linkages in selected model compounds has been shown to result from participation of the unesterified carboxyl group adjacent to the ester linkage. The cyclic anhydride was detected from dissociation of model ester compounds at elevated tempera tures; similar cyclic anhydrides are the probable intermediates in transesterification of ester linkages in cotton cellulose polycarboxylates.