One-Step Process for the Cyanoethylation of Cotton

Abstract

A simplified one-step process for the partial cyanoethylation of cotton yarn and stock in the package dyeing machine is described. The new feature of this process consists of mixing the required amount of caustic solution with the acrylonitrile, circulating the mixture cold until even distribution of the caustic is obtained on the cotton, and only then heating to reaction temperature. The principal advantages of this procedure are that it eliminates the centrifugation operation of the previously reported two-step process and that it allows the use of water- saturated acrylonitrile with no concurrent increase in by-product formation. Cotton treated by this process is shown to have the improved physical properties characteristic of cyanoethylated cotton. Reconversion of cyanoethylation by-products to acrylonitrile has been achieved and should prove to be of practical importance.