Chemical Modification of Flax Cellulose I–Action of Acrylonitrile, Chloroacetic Acid, and β–Propiolactone

The reaction of flax yarn with acrylonitrile, chloroacetic acid, and β–propiolactone in presence of sodium hydroxide as catalyst has been studied. The results are compared with those obtained with cotton in earlier work. Under the experimental conditions used, measurable differences in reactivity between the two fibres are apparent. The cause of this difference in reactivity has been investigated and is explained by consideration of the effect of different concentrations of sodium hydroxide solutions on the two fibres. In general, for a given alkali concentration flax absorbs more sodium hydroxide and water than does cotton. This gives a greater change in the fine structure of the flax fibre produced by mercerising strengths of alkali. The effect of mercerising–strength sodium hydroxide on the nodes present in flax fibre, which act as major points of entry to the fibre, is also pointed out.