GB985150A - Improvements in or relating to cellulose textile materials - Google Patents

Abstract

Sulphone compounds of the formula CH2 = CHSO2-R-SO2CH = CH2 in which R is an alkylene group having 3-10 carbon atoms or a group having the formula -(R1-Y)n-R1- in which R1 is an alkylen group having 2-4 carbon atoms, Y is oxygen, -SO2-or-N(R2)-, R2 being hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 1-4, may be prepared (a) by the dehydrohalogenation of the corresponding bis-beta-haloethyl sulphonyl compounds of the formula XCH2CH2SO2RSO2CH2CH2X in which X is a halogen atom, with a base, e.g. trimethylamine, triethylamine or an alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate; (b) by the treatment with an alkali metal hydroxide of compounds having the formula ACH2CH2SO2RSO2CH2CH2A in which A is a polar residue derived from a reagent of weak undeophilic character e.g. the cation of a weak base and the anion of a strong acid; or (c) by the oxidation of a bis vinyl thio ethers of the formula CH2 = CHSRSCH = CH2. Examples I and II describe the production of 1,4 bis (vinyl sulphonyl) butane and b ,b 1 bis (vinyl sulphonyl) ethyl ether by method (a).ALSO:Textiles consisting of or containing cellulose fibres are crease proofed and rendered dimensionally stable by reacting them with a sulphone compound having the formula CH2=CH SO2-R-SO2CH=CH2 in which R is an alkylene group having 3-10 carbon atoms or a group having the formula -(R1 - Y)n-R1- in which R1 is an alkylene group having 2-4 carbon atoms, Y is oxygen, -SO2- or -N(R2)-, R2 being hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 1-4, in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. The sulphone compound and the alkaline catalyst may be applied to the textiles simultaneously or in either order as solutions in water, dioxane or mixtures of water and dimethyl formamide, by padding, coating, dipping or spraying. The sulphone compound may be applied at a concentration of 2-20% based on the weight of the cellulosic material treated and the concentration of the alkaline catalyst may vary between 0.2 and 10% based on the weight of the cellulosic material. Suitable alkaline catalysts are the oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates and silicates of the alkali metals, quaternary ammonium hydroxides and tertiary amines. The treating composition may also contain sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, softeners, lubricants, stiffeners and water repellents. After application of the sulphone compound and alkaline catalyst, the textile may be allowed to stand, preferably in a partially swollen condition due to the presence of water, until the reaction is complete, e.g. for from two seconds to twenty-four hours depending upon whether the reaction is carried out at ambient or elevated temperatures and the concentration of the catalyst. The textile may be prevented from drying out during the reaction period by covering it with polyethylene sheeting. Textiles comprising cotton or regenerated cellulose fibres alone or in admixture with wool, polyolefin or polyester fibres may be treated. Deformations, e.g. pleats, creases and twists, may be imparted to yarns or fabrics by holding them in the desired configuration during the reaction.