Estimation of the Length of the Oxymethylene Bridges Introduced into Cotton Cellulose by Formaldeh de and by Methylenedisulfuric Acid

The average values of n in cellulose-O(CH 2 O) n -cellulose, inter- and intramolecular bridges not differentiated, have been estimated in cotton fabrics treated by various methods. These values were obtained from n = 0.6 ÷ (1 - R), where R is the ratio of dry weight lost to formaldehyde lost, when formaldehyde was removed from the fabric by exposure to moist HCl vapor. The values estimated for n were 2.5, 2.4, 1.7, and 1.1 for Form W', Form D', Form V, and the alkaline methylenedisulfuric acid methods, respectively.