Patent GB-839891-A (GB)
Title: A process for the improvement of shaped products containing carbonamide groups
IPC: D06M13/418
Filed: 1957-07-30
Abstract: Shaped products of materials containing carbonamide groups, e.g. polyamides, the reaction products of diisocyanates with diamines or diols, or wool, are reacted with aliphatic lactones, aliphatic lactams, or aliphatic or aromatic sultones in such a manner that the weight of the product is increased by not more than 3% and the physical structure of the product is retained. Preferably 0.1-0.5% of reagent is added on.  Suitable reagents include propiolactone, butyrolactone, hydroxyethoxy acetic acid lactone, propanesultone, butanesultone, tolylsultone, naphthosultone, and caprolactam.  The hydrocarbon residues of these compounds may contain further substituents, e.g. halogen, and the shaped products may comprise filaments or spun, knitted or woven material.  Reaction may take place at normal or elevated temperature, but in either case basic substances are used as catalysts.  Suitable catalysts include alkali metal hydroxides, alcoholates, alkaline earth hydroxides, and quaternary ammonium compounds.  Solvents may be used if desired, e.g. aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, dioxane, tetrahydronaphthalene, decahydronaphthalene, ether or water.  In a preferred method, polyamides are saturated with caustic soda solution, squeezed and placed in a solution or suspension of the reagent.  Solvents may be dispensed with if the reagent is liquid at the desired reaction temperature.  The treated products have good antistatic properties and an improved affinity for dyes, especially basic dyes, owing to the introduction of carboxylic or sulphonic acid groups into the molecule.  These groups may be modified by a further treatment of the products with esterifying or amidating agents.  The products may also be given a soft handle by the treatment.ALSO:Shaped products of synthetic materials containing carbonamide groups, e.g. polyamides or the reaction products of diisocyanates with diamines or diols, are reacted with aliphatic lactones, aliphatic lactams, or aliphatic or aromatic sultones in such a manner that the weight of the product is increased by not more than 3% and the physical structure of the product is retained. Preferably 0.1-0.5% of reagent is added on. Suitable reagents include propiolactone, butyrolactone, hydroxyethoxy acetic acid lactone, propanesultone, butanesultone, tolylsultone, naphthosultone, and caprolactam.  The hydrocarbon residues of these compounds may contain further substituents, e.g. halogen, and the shaped products may comprise films and filaments, spun, knitted or woven material, or polyamide lacquer coatings applied to articles. Reaction may take place at normal or elevated temperature, but in either case basic substances are used as catalysts.  Suitable catalysts include alkali-metal hydroxides, alcoholates, alkaline-earth hydroxides, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Solvents may be used if desired, e.g. aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, dioxane, tetrahydronaphthalene, decahydronaphthalene, ether or water.  In a preferred method, polyamides are saturated with caustic soda solution, squeezed and placed in a solution or suspension of the reagent.  Solvents may be dispensed with if the reagent is liquid at the desired reaction temperature.  The treated products have good antistatic properties and an improved affinity for dyes, especially basic dyes, owing to the introduction of carboxylic or sulphonic acid groups into the molecule.  These groups may be modified by a further treatment of the products with esterifying or amidating agents.