The Cellulose-Alkali Hydroxide-Water System in the Cyanoethylation of Cotton Cellulose

Abstract

. When cotton cellulose is cyanoethytated with a large excess of acrylonitrile in the presence of aqueous alkali hydroxides at a fixed, time and temperature, the rate of re action is controlled by the ratios of base : cellulose : water. The variations in yield and rate of cyanoethylation can be explained by considering the changes brought about in cellutusate ion concentration, solubility of acrylonitrile, and bond strengths, by varying the amount, concentration, and nature of the alkali hydroxide on the cellulose. The microbiological resistance of the product is dependent on the same ratios because of the formation of carboxyl groups in the product, the rate of which formation is governed by the strength and quantity of the aqueous base, and the time of the reaction. The rate of reaction and yield of cyanoethytated cotton can be greatly improved by the inclusion of hydrotropic salts in the padding liquor.