Isocyanate Modification of Wool in Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Abstract

In the presence of hot dimethyl sulfoxide, a variety of monoisocyanates penetrate into and react chemically with wool. Dimethyl sulfoxide is superior to pyridine, the only other known reaction medium, in respect to cost, odor, and toxicity. Reaction is very rapid when the ratio of materials is 3 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide, 2 ml. of phenyl isocyanate, and 1.2 g. of dry wool fabric; uptake of isocyanate is about 36% of the weight of the wool in only 10 min. at 105° C. Isocyanate-treated fabrics are more resistant to chemicals and to laundering shrinkage.