Reaction of phenyl glycidyl ether with wool keratin in the presence of a salt

Abstract

AbstractThe addition reaction of phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) with wool keratin was investigated in the presence of various salts in different solvents at 45–75°C. Impregnating with an aqueous solution of thiocyanate resulted in high add‐ons to 1.30 moles/kg during the reaction with PGE in ethanol solution. Tyrosine, serine, cystine, basic and acidic amino acid residues of the keratin reacted. The reaction rates of these active residues varied with salts and solvents used in the treatment. The difference of reactivity between wool and silk to PGE was briefly discussed in the light of the observed phenomena.