The Cellulose — Sodium Hydroxide — Water System in the Cyanoethylation of Cotton Cellulose

When cotton is cyanoethylated with a large excess of acrylonitrile in the presence of aqueous alkali at fixed time and temperature, the extent of cyanoethylation and by product formation is controlled by the ratios of cellulose, sodium hydroxide, and water employed. The mechanical restraints offered by the yarn and fabric structures alter these optimum conditions as well as the extent of cyanoethylation which takes place. Cyanoethylated cottons, having essentially equal nitrogen contents but different prop erties, can be prepared from a large number of compositions of cellulose, sodium hy droxide, and water. High sodium hydroxide contents in the starting mixtures result in substantial conversion to carboxyethyl groups with a subsequent loss of resistance to microbiological attack.