New methods for improving the dyeability of cellulose fibres with reactive dyes*

Cellulose fibres may be dyed with reactive dyes in the absence of added electrolyte under neutral to slightly acidic conditions provided the fibre is modified to include cationic sites. The effect of amine substitution has been examined in detail using the activated substrate prepared by the reaction of cotton with N‐methylolacrylamide. Dyes containing pendant aliphatic amino groups were also prepared and their reactivity towards the pre‐activated cotton substrate assessed.