The reaction of activated vinyl compounds with cotton cellulose via internal catalysis

The reactions of a variety of activated vinyl compounds with cotton cellulose fabric containing quaternary ammonium hydroxide substituents were explored. Each reaction, catalyzed by the basic groups in the cellulose, was followed to or near the point of leveling off. The results are analyzed and discussed in terms of accessibility of the cellulosic compositions and in terms of the efficiency of the quaternary ammonium substituents as catalysts for the addition reactions. Estimates of relative forward rate constants (k_f) and equilibrium constants (K) for the reactions were made. The values of k_f for reactions of the vinyl compounds with the quaternary ammonium celluloses show a relative order which is similar to that for the reactions of the vinyl compounds with simple alcohols. Evidence is presented to indicate that, in some cases, the addition of vinyl compounds is accompanied by anionic-catalyzed graft polymerization.