Physicochemical Study of the Cotton Cellulose— Dimethylolpropyleneurea Reaction1

Physical and chemical properties of cotton print cloth treated with 0.55 M solutions of 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2(1H)-tetrahydropyrimidinone (dimethylolpropyleneurea or DMPU) in the presence of 0.03 and 0.1 M inorganic salt catalysts have been determined. The kinetics of the reaction in the presence of 0.03 M catalysts have been investigated. Specific reaction-rate constants at 45, 55, and 65°C in the presence of ZnCl₂, Zn(NO ₃)₂, MgCl₂, and Mg(NO₃)₂ have been calculated by following the changes in nitrogen and formaldehyde contents. Changes in crease recovery properties of finished fabrics with changes in nitrogen and formaldehyde contents were also followed. Enthalpies, entropies, and free energies of activation at 45°C for the reaction have been calculated. Specific reaction-rate constants and activation parameters were compared with those values reported previously for the reactions of cotton with derivatives of ethyleneurea. Infrared spectral data of fabrics finished with DMPU were analyzed.